Abstract
In experiments on male Wistar laboratory rats using standard neuropharmacological methods (“Open Field”, elevated plus maze, forced swimming test), a preliminary screening was carried out to assess the neurotropic activity of the plant alkaloids: 7-methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (1), 20-ethyl-16-methoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)aconitane-1,6,7,8,14-pentol (2), 1-methyl-4-quinolone (3), (20R)-21-ethyl-1α,15β-dihydroxy-4-methyl-16-methylene-7α,20-cycloveatchan-12-one (4), isolated from Peganum harmala L., Aconitum delphinifolium DC., Echinops albicaulis Kar & Kir and Aconitum pendulum, to evaluate their neurotropic activity. The study found that the alkaloid 20-ethyl-16-methoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)aconitane-1,6,7,8,14-pentol (2) at a dose of 10 mg/kg exhibited pronounced neurotropic activity under emotional stress conditions, normalizing the emotional state of animals and reducing fear and anxiety levels. Additionally, a strong antidepressant activity was observed for the alkaloid 7-methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole, comparable to the effect of the reference drug “Amitriptyline”. The pronounced neuropharmacological properties identified in the experiment suggest that these plant-derived alkaloids are promising candidates for further pharmacological studies.