scholarly journals Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-Like Effects of the Aqueous Extract ofAlafia multifloraStem Barks in Rodents

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harquin Simplice Foyet ◽  
David Emery Tsala ◽  
Armand Abdou Bouba ◽  
Lucian Hritcu

The present study examined the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the aqueous extract ofAlafia multiflora Stapf(AM) stem barks (150 and 300 mg/kg, 7 days administration) on rats and mice, using experimental paradigms of anxiety and depression. In the open field, the aqueous extract increased significantly the number of center square crossed and the time spent at the center of the field as well as the rearing time, while the grooming time was reduced significantly. In the elevated plus maze, the aqueous extract increased the time spent and the number of entries in the open arms. All these effects were also completely reversed by flumazenil, an antagonist of benzodiazepine receptors and pindolol aβ-adrenoceptors blocker/5-HT 1A/1B receptor antagonist. The time spent in the light compartment, the latency time, and the number of the light-dark transitions increased significantly in the light/dark exploration test after the treatment with AM. The extract was able to reduce significantly the immobility time and increase swimming as well as climbing duration. Taken together, the present work evidenced anxiolytic effects of the aqueous extract of AM that might involve an action on benzodiazepine-type receptors and an antidepressant effect where noradrenergic mechanisms will probably play a role.

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 307-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Sultan Kilic ◽  
Sule Ismailoglu ◽  
Bilgin Kaygisiz ◽  
Setenay Oner

BackgroundGabapentin, a third-generation antiepileptic drug, is a structural analogue of γ-aminobutyric acid, which is an important mediator of central nervous system. There is clinical data indicating its effectiveness in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effects and mechanisms of gabapentin in rats.Material and MethodsFemale Spraque–Dawley rats weighing 250±20 g were used. A total of 13 groups were formed, each containing 8 rats: gabapentin (5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg), amitriptyline (10 mg/kg), sertraline (5 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg), ketamine (10 mg/kg), gabapentin 20 mg/kg was also combined with amitriptyline (10 mg/kg), sertraline (5 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg). All the drugs were used intraperitoneally as single dose. Saline was administered to the control group. Elevated plus maze and forced swimming tests were used as experimental models of anxiety and depression, respectively.ResultsIt was observed that gabapentin showed an anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effect in all doses in rats. Its antidepressant effect was found to be the same as the antidepressant effects of amitriptyline and sertraline. There was no change in the antidepressant effect when gabapentin was combined with amitriptyline and ketamine, but there was an increase when combined with sertraline and diazepam. Gabapentin and amitriptyline showed similar anxiolytic effect, whereas ketamine and diazepam had more potent anxiolytic effect compared with them.ConclusionsThese data suggest that gabapentin may possess antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects.


Dose-Response ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932581989126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafiz Muhammad Asif ◽  
Abdul Hayee ◽  
Muhammad Rahil Aslam ◽  
Khalil Ahmad ◽  
Abdul Sattar Hashmi

The present work was carried out to assess the Onosma bracteatum anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Swiss albino mice (male) were fed orally with hydroalcoholic extract at different doses 50, 100, and 200 mg 1 hour prior to test with the standard diazepam and fluoxetine. Anxiolytic and antidepressant activities were evaluated by using open field, elevated plus maze, force swimming, and tail suspension test. Results of open field test showed an increase in number of line crossing as well as number of rearing in dosage-dependent design. Although results of elevated plus maze test evidently showed antianxiety effect of O bracteatum by increasing the time spent in open arms along with decreasing the time spent in closed arms in dosage-dependent way. For the evaluation of antidepressant effect, O bracteatum diminished the immobility time and expanded mobility time in forced swim model in dosage-dependent way. Likewise, O bracteatum expanded time span of mobility along with diminished immobility time in tail suspension method in dosage-dependent way. Outcome demonstrated that plant at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight showed significant potential which was similar to that standard diazepam and fluoxetine. Hence, O bracteatum may be used as potent natural psychotherapeutic agent against the mental disorders.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 3468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Wang ◽  
Canhong Wang ◽  
Zhangxin Yu ◽  
Chongming Wu ◽  
Deqian Peng ◽  
...  

In our previous investigation, we found that agarwood essential oil (AEO) has a sedative-hypnotic effect. Sedative-hypnotic drugs usually have an anxiolytic effect, where concomitant anxiety and depression are a common comorbidity. Therefore, this study further investigated the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of AEO using a series of animal behavior tests on a restraint stress-induced mice model. The elevated plus maze (EPM) test, the light dark exploration (LDE) test, and the open field (OF) test demonstrated that AEO has a significant anxiolytic effect. Simultaneously, the tail suspension (TS) test and the forced swimming (FS) test illuminated that AEO has an antidepressant effect with the immobility time decreased. Stress can cause cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) elevation, and further lead to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. AEO was shown to dose-dependently inhibit the levels of cytokines, including interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum, significantly decrease the mRNA level of neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and inhibit the nNOS protein level in the hippocampus. Concomitant measurements of the HPA axis upstream regulator corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and its receptor CRFR found that AEO significantly decreases the gene expression of CRF, and significantly inhibits the gene transcription and protein expression of CRFR in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Additionally, AEO dose-dependently reduces the concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) downstream of the HPA axis, as measured by ELISA kits. These results together demonstrate that AEO exerts anxiolytic and antidepressant effects which are related to the inhibition of CRF and hyperactivity of the HPA axis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Foyet Harquin Simplice ◽  
Tsala David Emery ◽  
Ngatanko Abaissou Hervé Hervé

We evaluated the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the aqueous extract of the bark ofTapinanthus dodoneifolius(TAE) (Danser) (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg), using open field, elevated plus maze, and forced swimming tests. Effect of TAE was compared to standard drugs diazepam (2 mg/kg) and imipramine (10 mg/kg). Additionally, the same doses of TAE were evaluated on rat's memory using Y-maze task. Results showed a significant (P<0.05; 100 mg/kg) increase in the percentage of open arm entry and the time spent in the open arms in the elevated plus maze, suggesting an anxiolytic activity of the extract. In a dose-dependant manner, TAE at 25 mg/kg significantly (P<0.05) decreased the number of lines crossed and the rearing behavior in the open field test, suggesting its possible sedative activity. In the forced swimming test, the immobility time of the animal was significantly reduced (P<0.05) by TAE (100 mg/kg), compared to control, and this effect was quite comparable to that of imipramine. In the Y-maze paradigm, TAE at 50 mg/kg caused a significant increase in the spontaneous alternations but with a significant decrease in exploratory behavioral pattern. Taking these results together, TAE improved the spatial memory and showed anxiolytic, antidepressant, and sedative activities. The present results support the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of TAE and, to our knowledge, for the first time, demonstrate its enhancing effect on memory.


2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablinny Moreira Galdino ◽  
Marcus Vinícius Mariano Nascimento ◽  
Fábio Borges de Sousa ◽  
Reginaldo Nassar Ferreira ◽  
José Realino de Paula ◽  
...  

Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil. can be found from Amapá to Rio Grande do Sul states, and also in Paraguay and Bolivia. It is popularly known as pacari or mangava-brava and is used to promote weight loss, as an anti-thermal or tonic, to treat gastritis, ulcers, scarring, itching, discouragement, and cancer. In the open field tests, the hydroalcoholic extract from L. pacari stem bark (HEP) decreased the number of rearings, number of invaded squares, and increased immobility time compared to control animals. In the pentobarbital-induced sleep time test, HEP decreased latency time to sleep and increased sleeping time. In the rota-rod test, no changes in the studied parameters were observed. In the elevated plus maze, HEP increased the percentage time and percentage entries in the open arms, indicating that this extract exerts an anxiolytic-like activity.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
Ewa Kędzierska ◽  
Lila Dąbkowska ◽  
Paweł Obierzyński ◽  
Magdalena Polakowska ◽  
Ewa Poleszak ◽  
...  

Background: The antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of selenium (Se) have been proven in many studies. This work was aimed at confirming these activities of its inorganic form—sodium selenite—and examining the possible synergy of action with antidepressants and diazepam. Methods: The antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activity of Se was assessed using forced swim tests (FSTs) and elevated plus-maze test (EPMs). Spontaneous locomotor activity was measured using photoresistor actimeters. The experiments were conducted on male Albino Swiss mice. Results: Sodium selenite (0.5 mg/kg) reduced the immobility time in the FSTs and extended time spent in the open arms of EPMs without affecting locomotor activity The combined administration of Se at an ineffective dose (0.25 mg/kg) together with imipramine (15 mg/kg), fluoxetine (5 mg/kg), tianeptine (10 mg/kg), but not with reboxetine (2.5 mg/kg), resulted in a reduction of immobility time in FSTs, and with a threshold dose of diazepam (0.25 mg/kg) led to the prolongation of time spent in the open arms of the EPM. Moreover, the antidepressant-like effect of Se (0.5 mg/kg) was significantly reduced by pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg). Conclusions: The results may indicate the participation of serotonergic transmission to antidepressant action of Se and GABA-ergic transmission to its anxiolytic effects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changhong Gu ◽  
ZhengLin Zhao ◽  
Xiaodong Zhu ◽  
Tong Wu ◽  
Bong Hyo Lee ◽  
...  

Anxiety during nicotine withdrawal (NicW) is a key risk factor for smoking relapse. Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), which is a prototypical hypnotic-sedative herb in Oriental medicine, has been clinically used to treat insomnia and general anxiety disorders for thousands of years. Thus, the present study evaluated the effects of the aqueous extract of SZS (AESZS) on NicW-induced anxiety in male rats that received subcutaneous administrations of nicotine (Nic) (0.4 mg/kg, twice a day) for 7 d followed by 4 d of withdrawal. During NicW, the rats received four intragastric treatments of AESZS (60 mg/kg/d or 180 mg/kg/d). AESZS dose-dependently attenuated NicW-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) tests and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS inhibited NicW-induced increases in plasma corticosterone. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF type 1 receptor (CRF1R) increased in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) during NicW, but these changes were suppressed by 180 mg/kg/d AESZS. A post-AESZS infusion of CRF into the CeA abolished the attenuation of anxiety by AESZS and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS suppressed NicW-induced increases in norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol levels in the CeA. The present results suggest that AESZS ameliorated NicW-induced anxiety via improvements in CRF/CRF1R and noradrenergic signaling in the CeA.


2019 ◽  
pp. 01-12
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Wai-Kin Mat ◽  
Wing-Man Chan ◽  
T Yiu-Cheong Ho ◽  
Rigil K Yeung ◽  
...  

The racemate dl-tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP) is known for its analgesic and sedative effects, and has been shown by us to be a potential agent for the treatment of anxiety.Herein, to delineate the therapeutic potentials of its different isomeric forms, the behavioral effects of l-THP, dl-THP and d-THP were compared regarding their anxiolytic and antidepressant properties in mouse behavioral models using the elevated plus-maze test and tail suspension test respectively. The anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of both l-THP and dl-THP were evident in forty-five minutes following oral administration. Moreover, l-THP exhibited much greater anxiolytic potency in the elevated plus-maze (0.1-2.5 mg/kg) and antidepressant potency in the tail suspension test (0.5-5.0 mg/kg) than dl-THP, whereas d-THP was inactive in either of these tests. As well, l-THP enhanced sociability and preference for social novelty at 0.1-0.5 mg/kg in Crawley’s three-chamber behavioral tests, and inhibited the amphetamine-induced manic-like hyperactivity of amphetamine-sensitized mice at 0.05-0.2 mg/kg. These pharmacological actions of l-THP were unaccompanied by any significant locomotor or myorelaxant side-effects. Co-administration of flumazenil, a GABAA receptor antagonist, inhibited the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of l-THP, even though the binding affinity of l-THP was higher for dopamine D2-like receptors than for GABAA receptors. On this basis, l-THP displayed potential as a fast-acting drug for the treatment of anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Keywords: l-THP; dl-THP; Anxiolysis; Antidepressant; GABAA receptor; Fast-acting


2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 601-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Bigliani ◽  
E. Grondona ◽  
PM Zunino ◽  
AA Ponce

Our studies were performed to investigate the effects of the aqueous extracts of Cecropia pachystachya and Larrea divaricata. These plants are used in folkloric medicine in infusion and were administered orally (0.76 g/kg) to male Albino Swiss mice for 16 days, on drink intake, organ weight/body weight (OW/BW × 100) ratio, histology, broqueoalveolar fluid (BALF) and elevated plus-maze (EPM). Feeding as well as body weight were unaffected by the consumption of these extracts. There were no signs of toxicity in BALF, morbidity or mortality during the study. C. pachystachya caused an increase in relative kidney OW/BW (p ≤ .05 vs control). The macroscopic and microscopic morphologic analyses of the organs were not altered by administration of these plants. A non-anxiolytic-like activity of an aqueous extract prepared from the leaves of C. pachystachya and L. divaricata in EPM was observed. We conclude that the crude aqueous extracts of leaves tested on mice orally did not produce signs of toxicity or behavioral changes in routine histological and clinical evaluation. However, knowledge of the biological activity of many herbal medicine used in Latin American is still deficient and more studies will be needed to elucidate the possible toxic effects.


Author(s):  
Ismail O. Ishola ◽  
Olufunsho Awodele ◽  
Chinedum O. Eluogu

Abstract:: HeMI (12.5–100 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 1 h before subjecting the animal to the forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and elevated plus maze tests (EPM).: HeMI (12.5–100 mg/kg, p.o.) treatment produced significant reduction in immobility time [F(6.56)=8.35, p<0.001], [F(6,56)=7.55, p<0.001] in the FST and TST, respectively. Moreover, co-administration of sub-therapeutic doses of imipramine or fluoxetine with HeMI (3.125 mg/kg) elicited significant reduction in time spent immobile in the FST. However, pretreatment of mice with parachlorophenylalanine, metergoline, yohimbine or sulpiride abolished the antidepressant-like effect elicited by HeMI. In the EPM, HeMI produced significant [F(5,42)=8.91, p<0.001] increase in open arms exploration by 75.55 % and this effect was blocked by pretreatment of mice with flumazenil or metergoline.: Findings from this study showed antidepressant-like effect of


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