Effect of the extract of Hypericum perforatum on neurodevelopment of regions related to pain control and convulsion

Hypericum perforatum (HP) is well-known by the population of the world as herb with antidepressant effect. Its various components, such as hypericin and hyperforin, provide many other effects for this plant, for example, antinociceptive and anticonvulsant. The aim of this work was to determine whether HP administration during pregnancy can cause changes in neurodevelopment related to pain control and seizures in rats (F1). For this, Wistar rats received oral doses of HP at 36, 72 and 144 mg/kg throughout pregnancy. Tests to evaluate the antinociceptive and anticonvulsant activity of HP were performed in adult F1 rats, which showed a decrease of both responses, suggesting therefore that HP exposition during pregnancy causes changes in neurodevelopment of brain regions related to pain control and seizures in rats. Key words: Hypericum perforatum, antinociceptive effect, convulsion, neurodevelopment, reprogramming, ontogeny, epigenetic.