Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-Like Effects of Conyza canadensis Aqueous Extract in the Scopolamine Rat Model

Abstract

Conyza canadensis is a plant widely used in traditional medicine in Morocco for the treatment of varied health challenges. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific study justifying the traditional use of Conyza extract as an anxiolytic and antidepressant agent. Moreover, data regarding the polyphenolic fraction is limited. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of an aqueous extract obtained from the aerial parts of Conyza, its antioxidant potential, and the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of the sample (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw)) in the scopolamine (Sco) (0.7 mg/kg bw) rat model. To achieve this purpose, a variety of antioxidant tests (including free radical-scavenging activity and lipoxygenase-inhibitory potential assays) and behavioral procedures, such as the elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests, were performed. The results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Conyza canadensis is rich in catechins and flavonoids which possess good antioxidant activity. Additionally, concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract exhibited significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like profiles following scopolamine treatment. Therefore, we propose that the use of Conyza canadensis could be a new pharmacological target for the amelioration of major depression.

Neuroprotective potential of Erigeron bonariensis ethanolic extract against ovariectomized/D-galactose-induced memory impairments in female rats in relation to its metabolite fingerprint as revealed using UPLC/MS

“…Group III (Donepezil): OVX/D-Gal-subjected rats received donepezil (5 mg/kg/day) (Ademosun et al 2022 ) orally for 42 days, given 1 h prior to D-Gal administration. Group IV, V, and VI ( E. bonariensis 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day): OVX/D-Gal-subjected rats received the alcoholic extract of E. bonariensis at three different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) (Barua et al 2019 ; El-Akhal et al 2021 ) orally for 42 days, given 1 h prior to D-Gal administration. Before the end of the experiment by 4 days, all animals were subjected to the Morris water maze (MWM) test for memory performance evaluation.…”

New Insights into the Antimicrobial Potential of Polyalthia longifolia—Antibiofilm Activity and Synergistic Effect in Combination with Penicillin against Staphylococcus aureus

“…The chemical composition of Polyalthia longifolia leaf extracts (PlLm and PlLe) was assessed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis, as previously described [ 15 ]. The system included a Thermo UltiMate 3000 chromatograph with a quaternary pump, an autosampler, a Phenomenex Luna Omega Polar C18 column (100 A, 150 mm × 4.6 mm), and a PDA (multidiode array detector).…”

Chronic Stress and Oxidative Stress as Common Factors of the Pathogenesis of Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease: The Role of Antioxidants in Prevention and Treatment

“…The most potent compounds have been identified in oils isolated from various parts of plant. El-Akhal et al tried to discovered the connection between antioxidant and antidepressive activities of that plant [ 110 ]. For that reason, they obtained the aqueous extract from aerial parts of Conyza and administered it to scopolamine (Sco) rat models.…”