Sedative and Hypnotic Activities of the Methanolic and Aqueous Extracts ofLavandula officinalisfrom Morocco

Abstract

We evaluate the sedative and hypnotic activities of the methanolic and aqueous extract ofLavandula officinalisL. on central nervous system (CNS). In this study, the effect of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of this plant was investigated in a battery of behavioural models in mice. Stems and flowers ofLavandula officinalisL. have several therapeutic applications in folk medicine in curing or managing a wide range of diseases, including insomnia. The methanolic extract produced significant sedative effect at the doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg (by oral route), compared to reference substance diazepam (DZP), and an hypnotic effect at the doses of 800 and 1000 mg/kg while the treatment of mice with the aqueous extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg via oral pathway significantly reduced in both the reestablishment time and number of head dips during the traction and hole-board tests. In conclusion, these results suggest that the methanolic and aqueous extracts ofLavandula officinalispossess potent sedative and hypnotic activities, which supported its therapeutic use for insomnia.