Abstract

We evaluate the psychostimulants activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (lamiaceae) on central nervous system. The effects of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of the stems and leaves of this plant were investigated in three behavioral models including, observation of animals in free situation, search of stereotypes movement in rats and interaction with thiopental in mouse. We observed that extracts of R. officinalis increase the locomotors activity and induced hypermobility and hyperexcitability, as compared to the control group. Treatment withR. officinalis methanolic or aqueous extracts at the dose of 200 mg/kg, significantly decreased the duration of thiopental-induced sleeping time from 34 min ±0.2 to 3 min ± 0.1 and 2 min ±0.1, respectively (P<0.001). Thus, we can conclude that the methanolic and aqueous extracts of R. officinalis possess potential psychostimulants activity.

Keywords: Rosmarinus officinalis L., psychostimulants activity, central nervous system, Stereotypes movements, psychiatric disorders.

Abbreviation

CNS, Central nervous system; S.D, standard deviation.