doi: 10.1002/ptr.825

Phytother. Res. 16, 223–226 (2002)

Anxiogenic Properties of Ptychopetalum
olacoides Benth. (Marapuama)
A. L. da Silva,1,2 S. Bardini,2 D. S. Nunes3 and E. Elisabetsky1,2* 1
Curso de Po´s Graduac¸a˜o em Cieˆncias Biolo´gicas-Bioquı´mica, Universidade Federaldo Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ramiro Barcelos 2600,
90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2 Laborato´rio de Etnofarmacologia, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Sarmento Leite 500/202, 90046-900, Porto
Alegre, RS, Brazil
3 Departamento de Quı´mica, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Campus Uvaranas, Bloco M, 84030-310, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil

Abstract

Alcohol infusions of roots of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (PO), known as Marapuama or Muirapuama, are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a ‘nerve tonic’. Over the years PO has been found increasingly in phytoformulations and regarded as a stimulant, claimed to enhance physical and mental performances. This study determined that a P. olacoides ethanol extract (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) decreased exploratory behaviour in the hole-board test, without interfering with locomotion or motor coordination (rota-rod test). The data are comparable to that obtained with pentylenetetrazol (40 mg/kg), suggesting an anxiogenic effect of P. olacoides.

Introduction
Ethnopharmacological studies indicate that Amazonian ‘caboclos’ (Amazonian native rural inhabitants) use an alcohol infusion of the roots of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (PO) (Olacacea), known as Marapuama, as a ‘nerve tonic’, aphrodisiac, appetite modulator and as an
anti-tremor agent (Elisabetsky, 1987; Grenand et al., 1987). The concept of a ‘nerve tonic’ has been discussed in detail elsewhere (Elisabetsky et al., 1992); relevant to this study is to mention that the use of a ‘nerve tonic’ includes recovery of cognitive and motor functions after
brain injuries (such as stroke), and cognition improvement (including alertness and memory) in the elderly. P.olacoides is currently present in herbal products in several American and European countries (Table 1). Although little is known about the chemistry or pharmacology of this species (Paiva et al., 1998; Uber Bucek et al., 1987), we previously reported that a PO
ethanol extract (POEE) potentiated yohimbine-induced lethality, reversed reserpine-induced ptosis, and prevented apomorphine-induced stereotypy in mice (Siqueira et al., 1998). These data support the hypothesis of a PO modulatory effect on brain functions, suggesting the
involvement of cateholaminergic transmission. Considering the therapeutic claims of the marketed P. olacoides formulations, the purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of P. olacoides ethanol extract in the hole-board model (exploratory behaviour) and the
rota-rod test (motor coordination

Reference:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12164265/