Analgesic and Anxiolytic Activities of Achillea biebersteinii: Evidence for the Involvement of GABAergic Systems

Achillea biebersteinii (Asteraceae) is used in traditional medicine for treating abdominal pain, menstrual pain and headache. The analgesic, antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of this plant were studied. Moreover, molecular docking technique was used for plant constituents to determine their energy of binding against GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors. A. biebersteinii decreased flinching in early and late phases of formalin test and increased the latency time in hot plate test. In forced swimming test, no difference in immobility time was found. In open field test, high doses decreased the crossed lines number and rearing behavior. A. biebersteinii increased the time that the animals spent in the open arm side of elevated plus maze apparatus. Both bicuculline and SCH 50911 reversed A. biebersteinii action. Lavndulyl-2-methylbutanoate and sesquisabinene hydrate, showed the lowest binding energies for both GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors. In conclusion, A. biebersteinii exerted analgesic, anxiolytic but no antidepressant activity. Its effect involved interaction with GABA(A) and GABA(B) systems.