Effects of extracts from certain Sideritis species on swimming performance in mice

Abstract

Extracts obtained from S. libanotica ssp. kurdica, S. lanata, S. perfoliata and S. athoa on mouse swimming performance were investigated using two different doses. In order to compare their effects on the swimming experiments, antidepressant drugs, desipramine and trimipramine, were also tested. On the basis of our findings, low doses (250 mg/kg) of these extracts from the Sideritis species decreased the swimming time, suggesting a central nervous system depressant activity, whereas central nervous system stimulant and/or antistress activities became evident at higher doses (500 mg/kg) of aqueous Sideritis extracts.