EVALUATION OF CNS ACTIVITIES OF MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA L. ESSENTIAL OIL IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS FROM MOROCCO

摘要

Matricaria chamomilla L. (Asteraceae) has been widely used in the traditional medicinal system for the treatment of a variety of diseases in Morocco, as a calming sleep aid, a remedy to ease an upset stomach, and for its wonderful anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. The aim of this study is to investigate central nervous system (CNS) activity of the Essential Oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. (EOMC) using different models based on mice and rats behavior. In the present study, Steam distillation of Matricaria chamomilla L. was carried out using a Clavenger apparatus in order to obtain the volatile oils. The essential oil extract was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detector (GC-MS). Twenty-five compounds were identified in the essential oils and the main constituents of the essential oils were Chamazulene (25.21 %), Cis-beta-farnesene (12.51 %), Eucalyptol (9.19 %), Coumarin (7.72 %), Galaxolide (6.28 %), and Camphor (4.3 %). The results of the psychopharmacological screening revealed that EOMC produced significant sedative effect at the doses of 300,400 and 500mg/kg (p.o.) It affected curiosity (Hole-Board Test), and caused a remarkable decrease in muscle relaxant activity (Rota-Rod , and Traction Tests), also potentiate the hypnotic effects of sodium thiopental in rats but did not present any hypnotic action or catalepsy effect. It can be concluded that the essential oil of Matricaria chamo milla L. exhibit CNS depressant activity in tested animal models. This effect might be due to the presence of different chemical compounds in this oil