p‐Coumaric Acid Activates the GABA‐A Receptor In Vitro and is Orally Anxiolytic In Vivo

• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.4968
• Publication Date: 2013-03-27T03:58:32Z
• Authors: Arjan Scheepens; Jean‐Francois Bisson; Margot Skinner
• Keywords: p-Coumaric acid; Orally active

The increasing prevalence and social burden of subclinical anxiety in the western world represents a significant psychosocial financial cost. Consumers are favouring more natural nonpharmacological approach for alleviating effects everyday stress anxiety. gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor is primary mediator central inhibitory neurotransmission, GABA-receptor agonists well known to convey anxiolytic effects. Using an vitro screening identify naturally occurring phytochemical GABA agonists, we discovered plant secondary metabolite p-coumaric have GABAergic activity, effect that could be blocked by co-administration specific antagonist, picrotoxin. Oral administration rodents induced vivo as measured using elevated plus paradigm, line with oral diazepam. Given reasonably absorbed following consumption man relatively nontoxic, it may suitable formulation safe effective functional food.