The mental disorders that most affect humanity are depression and anxiety, where depression
is described as depressed and persistent mood, since anxiety refers to emotional and
physiological manifestations such as tensions or exaggerated fears. Pharmacological
treatments available on the market today have a variety of adverse effects, therefore, the
project seeks new therapeutic alternatives that are effective in the treatment of depression and
anxiety with less adverse effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
antidepressant and anxiolytic activity of the essential oil of Cyperus articulatus L., in vivo in
experimental models. For this purpose, the research was approved by the Ethics Committee
on Animal Use (CEUA/UFOPA). The plant material of cyperus articulatus came from the
Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA) and the chemical
characterization was carried out by hydrodistillation in a clevenger-type apparatus. In the
experimental tests, male and female mice of the Swiss strain, multiparous, non-pregnant and
healthy were used. The chemical characterization of the essential oil of cyperus articulatus
showed as major compounds: α-copaene (2.87%), β-selinene (4%), caryophyllene oxide
(2.99%), mustacone (21.43%), cyperotundone (3.86%), cis-tujopsenal (7.70%),
cyclocolorenone (11.94%). In the evaluation of acute oral toxicity, it was observed that the
acute toxic dose is greater than 2000 mg/kg, classifying it in category 5 according to the
criteria of the protocol adopted by OECD-423/2001. Thus, the results of tests carried out to
evaluate antidepressant activity showed that the essential oil of Cyperus articulatus L.,
significantly reduced the parameter of immobility time in the forced swimming test at the
concentration 400mg/kg by 64.60% (44.6 ± 3,36), when compared to the control group,
indicating an antidepressant-like effect. In the test to evaluate anxiolytic activity performed
with essential oil of Cyperus articulatus L, in this study, it was shown that the animals
significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze at a
concentration of 400 mg/Kg (151.8 ± 8 ,90), indicating an anxiolytic effect. In view of this, it
can be inferred that the essential oil of Cyperus articulatus L., can contribute to the search for
new approaches and therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of depression and anxiety, but
further studies are needed for a more in-depth investigation of its antidepressant effect. and
anxiolytic.
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