FlavonoidsApigenin

Dracocephalum moldavica aqueous extract induces sedation and general CNS inhibition in mice

The aqueous extract of Dracocephalum moldavica prolonged pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, induced sedation in the hole-board test, decreased spontaneous activity, and impaired motor coordination in mice. The LD50 was 470 mg/kg body weight, and the main compounds were acacetin, apigenin, and luteolin-7-O-β-D-(6″-O-malonyl)-glucoside derivatives.

Last updated: Aug 25, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score24/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Neuropharmacological study of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (Lamiaceae) in mice: sedative effect and chemical analysis of an aqueous extract.

observational

Martínez-Vázquez M, Estrada-Reyes R, Martínez-Laurrabaquio A, López-Rubalcava C, Heinze G · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2012)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Aqueous extract of Dracocephalum moldavica aerial parts administered to mice
Outcome: Sedation (pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, hole-board test), spontaneous activity (open field test), motor coordination (Rota-rod test), anxiety (avoidance exploratory behavior test), depression (forced swimming test), acute toxicity (LD50)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Mice (laboratory animals)

Result:

PubMed: 22469767DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.03.028

Mechanism Graph

Extract contains flavonoid glycosides (acacetin, apigenin, luteolin derivatives)
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These compounds likely modulate GABAergic or other inhibitory neurotransmitter systems
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Result: Prolonged pentobarbital-induced sleep, reduced locomotion and exploration
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Result: General CNS depression without anxiolytic or antidepressant effects

Limitations

  • ⚠Study conducted only in mice, not in humans
  • ⚠No specific mechanism of action was identified (e.g., receptor binding assays)
  • ⚠Anxiolytic and antidepressant effects were not observed, limiting therapeutic scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dracocephalum moldavica used for traditionally?▼

It is used in Mexican traditional medicine as a tranquilizer and for relief of nervous conditions.

Did the extract show anxiolytic or antidepressant effects?▼

No, the extract did not show anxiolytic effects in the avoidance exploratory behavior test or hole-board test, and it was not effective in the forced swimming test for antidepressant-like effects.

What were the main chemical compounds identified in the extract?▼

The main compounds were acacetin, apigenin, and luteolin-7-O-β-D-(6″-O-malonyl)-glucoside derivatives, as determined by HPLC-ESI-MS.

What was the acute toxicity of the extract?▼

The LD50 was 470 mg/kg body weight, indicating moderate toxicity in mice.

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References

  1. 1.Martínez-Vázquez M, Estrada-Reyes R, Martínez-Laurrabaquio A, López-Rubalcava C, Heinze G. "Neuropharmacological study of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (Lamiaceae) in mice: sedative effect and chemical analysis of an aqueous extract.." Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2012. PMID: 22469767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.03.028
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