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In this study, methanolic crude extracts of Stephania japonica(Thunb.) Miers. (MESJ) whole plants were examined for possible antidepressant and sedative-hypnotic activities. Herein, the forced swimming test and tail suspension test were conducted to explore the antidepressant activity. In addition, the open field test and hole-board test were performed to evaluate the sedative-hypnotic activities. In the acute toxicity test, the MESJ ensured safety up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg, p.o. The experimental doses were 100 and 200 mg/kg p.o. In both the forced swimming test and tail suspension test, the extract significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05) inhibited immobility time in a dose dependent manner compared to the control. These results (13.56-26.46% inhibition) indicate the mild antidepressant activity of MESJ compared to nortriptyline (60.4-64.6% inhibition). The open field test and hole-board test demonstrated the dose dependent significant (p<0.001, p<0.01 and p<0.05) and moderate sedative-hypnotic activities of the extract compared to diazepam. However, these activities were found to gradually decrease after 60 min in the open field test and must be considered as short-term activities, compared to diazepam. It can be claimed that the methanolic crude extract of Stephania japonicapossesses mild antidepressant and moderate but short-term sedative-hypnotic activities.

6-Substituted 3-ethoxy-6-hydroxy-2,4-hexadienoates (4) which were prepared by reaction of ethyl (4E)-3-ethoxy-5-formyl-2,4-pentadienoate (3a) with nucleophiles or sodium borohydride reduction of 6-substituted 3-ethoxy-6-oxo-2,4-hexadienoates (3b-e) have been converted in very good yields into 5- substituted 2-furylacetates (5) by treating with 47% HBr in THF.