Resumo

Introduction Neurobiological evidences in animal in human have indicated the role of monoaminergic systems in the pathophysiology of mental depression. Justicia pectoralis var. stenophylla Leonard, from the Acanthaceae family, is a plant widely used in popular medicine and present depressant effect on central nervous system. This present work aimed to investigate to involvement of monoaminergic systems in the depressant effect of Standardized Extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in mice. Methods: The animals were divided in two groups (n=8), SEJP was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg and controls received vehicle (distilled water). One hour after the administration the mice were decapited, the brains removed and hippocampus dissected. The monoamines levels (noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine and their metabolites) were measured. The results were presented as mean ± S.E.M. Data were analyzed by t test Student, with significance of p<0.05. This work was approved by Committee on Ethics in Animal Research, number 14/09. Results: The treatment of mice with SEJP 200 mg/Kg showed a decrease in the NE levels and increase in the HVA and 5-HIAA levels. NE [cont.(1654±114.4), SEJP (1271±103.6)], HVA [cont.(366.1±33.87), SEJP (1464±79.21)], 5-HIAA [cont.(366.1±33.87), SEJP(1464±79.21). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Standardized Extract of Justicia pectoralis decrease monoamine levels, confirming their depressant action on Central Nervous System. Financial Support: CAPES and CNPq