SEDATIVE ACTIVITY IN MICE OF AN HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF HYPERICUM-PERFORATUM L

The sedative activity of a hydroalcohol extract of Hypericum perforatu m L. (Hypericaceae) and some of its isolated constituents was evaluate d in mice. A dry hydroalcohol extract, orally administered at 26.5 mg/ kg, induced a marked sedation as measured by two different tests (acti meter and sleep potentiation), compared with controls (diazepam, 2 mg/ kg, per os). Several fractions were isolated from this hydroalcohol ex tract: hypericin, flavones, butanol fraction, aqueous fraction; a sepa ration and purification method was developed for hypericin, None of th e isolated fractions exhibited the same sedative activity as the hydro alcohol extract. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.