Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible neurobehavioural effects in rats of the proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (PRF) isolated from the bark of Croton celtidifolius (Euphorbiaceae). Methods Adult Wistar rats were treated with the PRF (0.3–30 mg/kg) and evaluated in different behavioural paradigms classically used for the screening of drugs with psychoactive effects. Key findings Acute intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of PRF decreased spontaneous locomotor activity (open field arena and activity cage), enhanced the duration of ethyl ether-induced hypnosis, increased the latency to the first convulsion induced by pentylenetetrazole (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and attenuated apomorphine-induced (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) stereotyped behaviour. In lower doses, PRF (0.3 or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the frequency of open arm entries in the elevated plus-maze test. Conclusions The present findings suggest that the systemic administration of PRF induces a wide spectrum of behavioural alterations in rats, consistent with the putative existence of hypnosedative, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic compounds.