The combination of Passiflora alata and Valeriana officinalis on memory tasks in mice: Comparison with diazepam

Abstract

The effect of a compound combining Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora alata extracts was tested on two mouse memory models: habituation and step-through inhibitory avoidance. Diazepam (1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. Acute diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) before training impaired the habituation and performance in the inhibitory avoidance. On the other hand, acute phytotherapeutic compound (40-160 mg/kg), also before the training session, did not alter mouse behavior in these models. Repeated (15 days) treatment with the compound also did not impair the habituation. At the doses used, no locomotor effect was found. Taken together, the results suggest that, contrary to diazepam, the anxiolytic Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora alata compound did not induce amnesia.