Pre-Clinical Investigations of Verbena officinalis L. Tisane Effects against Induced Stress in Wistar Male Rats ^†

Verbena officinalis or vervain is globally used as an herbal medicine and dietary supplement for anti-depressive and anti-convulsive purposes, as well as to treat inflammatory disorders, skin burns, abrasions and gastric problems. In our exploratory research, we investigated the biochemical, antioxidant and histopathological effects of local V. officinalis infusion in rats previously submitted to chronic physical stress. The animals presented significant alterations in several organs’ ratios; namely the epididymis and brain ratios with p = 0.003 and p = 0.013, respectively. Moreover, tissues such as those of the kidney and liver presented relevant histologic alterations due to experimental conditions. Total protein, creatine kinase (CKI), uric acid (URCA), circulating and hepatic alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and glucose levels were statistically different between treated and non-treated animals with p < 0.05. Altogether, biochemical and haematological results indicated significant impacts in antioxidant, lipidic and protein metabolism. Therefore, physical stress and vervain infusion have significant in vivo effects. Chronic stress effects were not counteracted by vervain consumption (e.g., p = 0.5 for hepatic and renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels between the different groups). A correlation between histology and the active components in an herbal extract would enable a better evaluation of herbal medicines. Accordingly, further studies of vervain extracts effects are in progress.