Anxiolytic and sedative effects of dehydroeffusol from Juncus effusus in mice

Dehydroeffusol, a phenanthrene isolated from Juncus effusus L., possesses characteristic anxiolytic and sedative properties, as determined by an array of behavioral tests in mice. In the elevated plus-maze test, dehydroeffusol significantly increased the number of entries into the open arms and the time the mice spent in these arms in a dose-dependent manner, with a minimum effective dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Dehydroeffusol also significantly increased the head-dips of mice in the hole-board test in a dose-dependent manner, with a minimum effective dose of 5 mg/kg. Dehydroeffusol reduced mouse locomotion in the open-field test with a minimum effective dose of 5 mg/kg. In the rota-rod test, 1-5 mg/kg dehydroeffusol did not decrease the fall-down time of mice. The above results confirm that dehydroeffusol possesses anxiolytic and sedative properties and does not affect the general movement coordination of mice. This suggests that dehydroeffusol is a novel anxiolytic chemical derived from herbal medicines.