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Objectives: The antipsychotic, hypnotic, myorelaxant and antioxidant effects of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAZ) were studied., Methods: EOAZ (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg i.p.) was administered once to mice for the determination of antipsychotic activity (evaluated by ketamine-induced hyperlocomotion), hypnotic activity (induced by sodium pentobarbital, 40 mg/kg i.p.), motor coordination (rotarod test), antioxidant effects (determination of lipid peroxidation and GSH levels), as well as alterations in nitric oxide levels (determination of nitrite content)., Key Findings: EOAZ at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg prevented ketamine hyperlocomotion, as did haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg i.p). EOAZ at a dose of 200 mg/kg decreased sleep latency, while all doses increased sleeping time. There was no effect on motor coordination. The in-vitro antioxidant capacity of the oil caused a decrease in lipid peroxidation and increase in GSH levels. EOAZ also prevented the decrease in nitrite content caused by oxidative stress., Conclusions: The results suggest antipsychotic and antioxidant effects for the EOAZ that may have promising efficacy for the treatment of schizophrenia., (© 2011 The Authors. JPP © 2011 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.)

Objectives: Alpinia zerumbet, known in Brazil as colônia, is popularly used as a diuretic, antihypertensive, anti-ulcerogenic and sedative. Based on this, we have investigated the central effects of the essential oil isolated from A. zerumbet leaves., Methods: Mice were treated once with 50 or 100 mg/kg of the essential oil, intraperitoneally, 30 min before being submitted to behavioural models of: locomotor activity (open-field), catalepsy, anxiety (elevated plus maze), depression (forced swimming test and tail suspension tests) as well as apomorphine-induced stereotypy., Key Findings: Results showed a dose-related decrease on locomotor activity and apomorphine-induced stereotypy. There was a decrease to the order of 55% of the grooming behaviour with both doses studied. The essential oil 100 mg/kg increased cataleptic activity (167%) and the immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Pretreatment with haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) alone also decreased locomotion, increased cataleptic activity and immobility time in the tail suspension test. No alterations in the elevated plus maze test were registered., Conclusions: The essential oil of A. zerumbet leaves had depressant and possible antipsychotic activity, since it could reverse the stereotypy induced by apomorphine, presenting effects comparable with those obtained with haloperidol treatment.