Anxiolytic and anti-depressant effect of Salvia spp. essential oil on rat model of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Anxiolytic and anti-depressant effect of Salvia spp. essential oil on rat model of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Summary/Abstract: Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a human psychiatric disorder characterizedby abnormal social interaction and communication with restricted repetitive behaviors. Thisdisorder is most often accompanied by anxiety and depression. Medicinal plants have aninexhaustible potential of bioactive molecules. Salvia spp. has an essential oil withpsychotropic effects.The aim of our study was to evaluate the anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties of Salviaspp. essential oil on rat model of ASD.Social interaction (SIT), elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swim (FS) tests methods wereused respectively to assess autistic, anxiety and depression status of rats.Rats with ASD spent less time in the cage containing the control rat or the new rat and moretime in the empty cage in SIT compared to normal rats. Salvia spp. (3%) essential oil hasanxiolytic effect by decreasing the anxiety state created by valproic acid by increasing the number and time spent in the open arms (1.75±0.25; P = 0.009, F = 11.55) of the apparatus.Salvia essential oil had an antidepressant effect on VPA 500 rats with severe depression(P=0.00078, F=16.233). This oil has significantly reduced the immobility time in forced swims.This study confirmed once again the pharmacological effect of the essential oil of Salvia genusplants on the one hand and their psychotropic potential exploited in traditional medicine onthe other.

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