Abstract Introduction Stress during puberty exerts long-term effects on endocrine systems and brain structures, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), two cerebral areas that participate in modulating sexual behavior and whose functioning is regulated by androgenic hormones. Objective To evaluate the effect of pubertal stress due to social isolation on the sexual motivation, serum testosterone levels, and electroencephalographic activity (EEG) of the PFC and BLA in male rats. Method Sixty sexually-experienced male rats were used. Thirty were stressed by social isolation during puberty (SG, housed 1 per cage, postnatal days 25-50); the other 30 formed the control group (CG, 5 per cage). All rats were implanted bilaterally with stainless steel electrodes in the PFC and BLA. EEGs were recorded during the awake-quiet state in two conditions: without sexual motivation (WSM), and with sexual motivation (SM). After EEG recording, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation to measure their testosterone levels. Results SG showed lower sexual motivation and testosterone levels, but higher amygdaline EEG activation in the presence of a receptive female, while CG showed higher prefrontal EEG activation. Discussion and conclusion It is probable that the decreased testosterone levels resulting from pubertal stress affected prefrontal and amygdaline functionality and, hence, sexual motivation. These data could explain some of the hormonal and cerebral changes associated with stress-induced sexual alterations, though this suggestion requires additional clinical and animal research.

Resumen Introducción El estrés durante la pubertad ejerce efectos a largo plazo sobre sistemas endocrinos y estructuras cerebrales como corteza prefrontal (CPF) y amígdala basolateral (ABL). Ambas estructuras participan en la modulación de la conducta sexual y su funcionamiento es regulado por andrógenos. Objetivo Evaluar los efectos del estrés puberal por aislamiento social sobre la motivación sexual, los niveles séricos de testosterona y la actividad electroencefalográfica (EEG) de la CPF y ABL en ratas macho. Método Se utilizaron sesenta ratas macho sexualmente expertas, 30 fueron estresadas por aislamiento social durante la pubertad (GE, hospedados 1 por caja, días 25 al 50 postnatal), y el resto conformó el grupo control (GC, hospedados 5 por caja). Las ratas fueron implantadas bilateralmente en la CPF y ABL y el EEG fue registrado durante estado vigilia-quieto en dos condiciones: sin motivación sexual (SMS) y con motivación sexual (MS). Finalmente, las ratas se sacrificaron por decapitación para medir los niveles de testosterona. Resultados El GE presentó menor motivación sexual, menores niveles de testosterona y, en presencia de una hembra receptiva, presentaron una mayor activación EEG amigdalina, mientras que el GC mostró una mayor activación EEG prefrontal. Discusión y conclusión Es probable que la disminución de los niveles de testosterona como resultado del estrés puberal haya afectado la funcionalidad prefrontal y amigdalina y, por ende, la motivación sexual. Estos datos pudieran explicar algunos de los cambios hormonales y cerebrales asociados con alteraciones sexuales producidas por estrés. Esta propuesta deberá explorarse en futuras investigaciones animales y clínicas.

The term “nervios” is referred as a folk illness recognized by Mexican Traditional Medicine, and also widely reported across many countries in Latin America. “Nervios” are characterized by a “state of bodily and mental unrest”, which decreases the ability to achieve daily goals. The causes are varied; in fact, any situation that alters the emotional state or mood is interpreted as a possible triggering agent. Depression and anxiety are psychiatric disorders, which share symptoms, or can be included in the same group of disorders with “nervios”. The therapies are designed to reassure health, i.e. “calm the nerves”. For this propose, the oral administration of plants infusions is common. In this review we compile information regarding the plants used for the treatment of “nervios” in México, along with those for which reports of anxiolytic or/and antidepressive activity exist. We found 92 plant species used in folk medicine for the treatment of “nervios”, among these, sixteen have been studied experimentally. The most studied plant is Galphimia glauca Cav., Malpighiaceae, which current clinical studies have validated its efficacy in patients, and their active components, the triterpenes galphimine A, B, and C, identified. Interestingly only nine plants were found to be reported in folk medicine for the treatment of sadness or/and depression, but their antidepressant activity has not been investigated. However, among the plants used in folk medicine for treatment of “nervios”, several, as Litsea glaucescens Kunth, Lauraceae, have been proven to show antidepressant activity in experimental models, and some of their active compounds have been determined. These species could be a potential source of compounds with activity in the central nervous system.