Antidepressant-Like Activity of the Ethanolic Extract fromUncaria lanosaWallich var.appendiculataRidsd in the Forced Swimming Test and in the Tail Suspension Test in Mice
This study investigated the antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract ofU. lanosaWallich var.appendiculataRidsd (ULEtOH) for two-weeks administrations by using FST and TST on mice. In order to understand the probable mechanism of antidepressant-like activity of ULEtOHin FST and TST, the researchers measured the levels of monoamines and monoamine oxidase activities in mice brain, and combined the antidepressant drugs (fluoxetine, imipramine, maprotiline, clorgyline, bupropion and ketanserin). Lastly, the researchers analyzed the content of RHY in the ULEtOH. The results showed that ULEtOHexhibited antidepressant-like activity in FST and TST in mice. ULEtOHincreased the levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, the levels of NE and MHPG in cortex and hippocampus, the level of NE in striatum, and the level of DOPAC in striatum. Two-week injection of IMI, CLO, FLU and KET enhanced the antidepressant-like activity of ULEtOH. ULEtOHinhibited the activity of MAO-A. The amount of RHY in ULEtOHwas 17.12 mg/g extract. Our findings support the view that ULEtOHexerts antidepressant-like activity. The antidepressant-like mechanism of ULEtOHmay be related to the increase in monoamines levels in the hippocampus, cortex, striatum, and hypothalamus of mice.