Anxiolytic and sedative-hypnotic activities of polygalasaponins from Polygala tenuifolia in mice

Figures & data

Figure 1.  HPLC chromatogram of polygalasaponins without alkaline hydrolysis.

Figure 2.  Enlarged HPLC chromatogram of polygalasaponins without alkaline hydrolysis.

Figure 3.  HPLC chromatogram of polygalasaponins after alkaline hydrolysis.

Table 1.  Effects of polygalasaponins on spontaneous behavior of mice in the open field test.

Group	Dose locomotion (mg/kg)	Total locomotion (counts)	Central (counts)
Control	Distilled water	73.5 ± 2.8	8.5 ± 0.9
Diazepam	2	68.6 ± 3.0	30.3 ± 2.8**
Polygalasaponins	40	72.7 ± 1.9	12.9 ± 1.6
Polygalasaponins	80	69.5 ± 2.4	24.0 ± 3.0**
Polygalasaponins	160	70.4 ± 2.2	21.4 ± 2.9**
Central/total (%)	Rearing (counts)		Defecation (counts)
12 ± 1	11.5 ± 1.6		2.7 ± 0.3
45 ± 4**	2.1 ± 1.7**		0.8 ± 0.3**
18 ± 2	9.6 ± 1.5		1.9 ± 0.3
35 ± 4**	6.5 ± 1.4*		1.4 ± 0.4**
31 ± 4**	5.2 ± 1.3**		1.3 ± 0.5**

Values are mean ± SEM, n = 10. *P <0.05, **P <0.01, significance versus control.

Figure 4.  Effects of polygalasaponins on counts of head-dips of mice in the hole-board test. Values are mean ± SEM, n = 10. *P <0.05, **P <0.01, significance versus control.

Figure 5.  Effects of polygalasaponins on anxiety behavior of mice in the elevated plus maze test. Values are mean ± SEM, n = 10. *P <0.05, **P <0.01, significance versus control. (A) Effects of polygalasaponins on time on the open arms in mice; (B) Effects of polygalasaponins on entries to the open arms in mice.

Table 2.  Effects of polygalasaponins on the onset and duration of sleep in mice induced by pentobarbital.

Group	Dose (mg/kg)	Sleeping latency (s)	Sleeping time (min)
Control	Distilled water	322.2 ± 46.7	40.9 ± 6.1
Diazepam	2	183.0 ± 26.1**	82.5 ± 7.9**
Polygalasaponins	40	299.1 ± 34.1	60.8 ± 6.6*
Polygalasaponins	80	278.5 ± 37.0	71.4 ± 6.3**
Polygalasaponins	160	232.8 ± 29.3	76.0 ± 6.9**

Values are mean ± SEM, n = 10. *P <0.05, **P <0.01, significance versus control.

Table 3.  Effects of polygalasaponins on the onset and duration of sleep in mice induced by sub-hypnotic dose of pentobarbital.

Group	Dose (mg/kg)	Number of falling asleep	Sleeping latency (min)	Sleeping time (min)
Control	Distilled water	0	60.0 ± 0.0	0.0 ± 0.0
Diazepam	2	9**	18.7 ± 5.5**	38.8 ± 5.49**
Polygalasaponins	40	5*	51.3 ± 3.3	9.2 ± 3.4
Polygalasaponins	80	7**	45.7 ± 4.4*	12.1 ± 3.8*
Polygalasaponins	160	8**	41.6 ± 4.1	14.9 ± 3.3**

Values are mean ± SEM, n = 10. *P <0.05, **P <0.01, significance versus control.

Table 4.  Effects of polygalasaponins on the determination of the median lethal dose p.o. (LD₅₀).

Dose (g/kg)	N	Mortality
2.6	14	0
3.14	14	3
3.78	14	6
4.56	14	10
5.5	14	13

After oral administration of above doses of polygalasaponins, a manifest reduction in spontaneous activity of mice was observed in each dose group. Regression analysis revealed that the LD₅₀ of polygalasaponins was 3.95 g/kg, 95% confidence limits 3.62-4.33 g/kg.