Effects of extract of Cistus populifolius L. on the central nervous system.

We report the effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and on analgesic activity of an aqueous extract of Cistus populifolius L. The extract was assayed for effects on spontaneous locomotor activity, methylphenidate-induced hypermotility, motor coordination, exploratory behaviour, rectal temperature and sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the hot plate test. The C. populifolius extract at dosages of 286 and 430 mg/kg caused very significant reductions in spontaneous locomotor activity, hypermotility, motor coordination, exploratory behaviour and rectal temperature, and a slight increase of sleeping time was noted in the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep test. The extract exhibited central analgesic affects in the hot plate test.