Effects of Essential Oils From Certain Ziziphora Species on Swimming Performance in Mice

Abstract

In Turkish folk medicine, Ziziphora species have been used as an infusion for various purposes such as for the sedative, stomachic, carminative, activities etc. Since some of the folkloric uses may be related to antistress (adaptogenic) activity or central nervous system depression, the effects of essential ails obtained from Z. tenuior, Z. taurica ssp. faurica and Z. taurica ssp. cleonioides on mice swimming performance were investigated. Acute lethal toxicities of these three Ziziphora oils were also studied. On the basis of our findings obtained, these essential oils from the Ziziphora species decreased the swimming time suggesting a central nervous system depressant activity.