Investigation of anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of salvia officinalis in adult mice

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental problems in the world. Considering the side effects of chemical drugs, medicinal plants have been proposed as a suitable replacement. Salvia officinalis is one of the precious herbal medicines of Lamiaceae family. In this study, anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of Salvia officinalis were investigated.

Mice were divided into groups of 7 to 8. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Salvia officinalis (10, 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg), distilled water and diazepam (2 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoenally. For evaluating the anxiolytic effects, after 30 min, the animals were tested by elevated plus maze (EPM). To assess hypnotic and sedative effects, we used ketamine induced sleeping time test and onset and duration of sleep were recorded.

Our results showed that alcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis (10 mg/kg) increased entry to the open arms (p < 0.05) and decreased entries and time spent in closed arms (p < 0.05). Both alcoholic and aqueous extracts reduced onset of sleep at 300 mg/kg (p < 0.05).

This study shows that Salvia officinalis can be effective in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.