Antidepressant-Like Activity of the Ethanolic Extract fromUncaria lanosaWallich var.appendiculataRidsd in the Forced Swimming Test and in the Tail Suspension Test in Mice

Abstract

This study investigated the antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of U. lanosa Wallich var. appendiculata Ridsd (ULEtOH) for two-weeks administrations by using FST and TST on mice. In order to understand the probable mechanism of antidepressant-like activity of ULEtOH in 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 ULEtOH exhibited antidepressant-like activity in FST and TST in mice. ULEtOH increased 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. ULEtOH inhibited the activity of MAO-A. The amount of RHY in ULEtOH was 17.12 mg/g extract. Our findings support the view that ULEtOH exerts antidepressant-like activity. The antidepressant-like mechanism of ULEtOH may be related to the increase in monoamines levels in the hippocampus, cortex, striatum, and hypothalamus of mice.

Effects of pentoxifylline, 7-nitroindazole, and imipramine on tumor necrosis factor-α and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enzyme activity in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of chronic mild-stress-exposed rats

“…Imipramine did not significantly decrease serum TNF-α level; however, it could significantly reduce the TNF-α immune-staining in the hippocampus proper. These findings are in agreement with recent studies by Abbas et al and Hsu et al,58,59 who demonstrated that imipramine treatment increased 5-HIAA in the hippocampus of forced-swim-stressed rats and mice, respectively. Furthermore, Kubera et al60 showed that chronic treatment with imipramine reduced immune activation in rats subjected to CMS.…”

Antidepressant Effect of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) in Mice

“…16 In addition, the FST and TST were shown to share some of the behaviours altered by depression in humans such as changes in food consumption, sleep alterations and anhedonia. 17 Duration of immobility is the indicator behaviour observed in both tests. 18 The methanol stem bark extract of A. digitata (MEAD) significantly decreased the immobility time indicating its antidepressant activity when assessed in FST and in TST.…”

Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Uncaria

“…Ethanol extract of U. lanosa stem and hook was shown to decrease the immobility time in forced swimming test and tail suspension test. And the antidepressant-like mechanism of the extract may be related with the increase in monoamines levels in the hippocampus, cortex, striatum, and hypothalamus of mice (Hsu et al, 2012). Several studies have reported that rhynchophylline (32), isorhynchophylline (40) and geissoschizine methyl ether (11) have agonistic activities on the 5-HT receptors Pengsuparp et al, 2001;Nishi et al, 2012;Ueki et al, 2013).…”