Evaluación de la actividad ansiolítica del extracto hidroalcohólico de hojas de espinaca (Spinacia oleracea) en ratones (Mus musculus).

Abstract

The main objective of this research study was to focus on Anxiety that according to reports presented by the WHO, has emerged as a pathology of significant impact in the last decade worldwide, acquiring an important relevance after the period of confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea) in mice (Mus musculus) at three different concentrations (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), for which flavonoids and phenols were identified qualitatively and quantitatively by phytochemical screening and colorimetric methods (Folin - Ciocalteu and AlCl3) respectively; then, the anxiolytic activity was tested by using the electronic elevated cross maze measuring equipment and the needle platform measuring equipment. The presence of phenols and flavonoids was identified in the ferric chloride and Shinoda assays of the aqueous and alcoholic extract of Spinacia oleracea. The concentration of total phenols and flavonoids was established at 15.74 ± 0.29 mg EAG/g PS and 18.77 ± 0.312 mg EQ/g PS, respectively. Regarding the evaluation of anxiolytic activity, a dose dependence of the extract was evidenced, where the maximum concentration of 300 mg/kg reduced anxiety in mice almost at the same level as the positive control (clonazepam) both in the evaluation of head sinking on the platform, as well as in the number of entries and time spent in open and closed arms in the elevated cross maze. In this context, it is concluded that Spinacia oleracea has anxiolytic activity at a dose of 300 mg/kg in Mus musculus specimens, thus it is recommended to perform a toxicity analysis of Spinacia oleracea in order to collect information on the risks that may be caused by prolonged administration of the extract at the effective dose.