Bioactive metabolites of Blumea lacera attenuate anxiety and depression in rodents and computer‐aided model

Abstract

Blumea lacera is an edible plant with imperative medicinal values. However, the anxiolytic and antidepressant roles of B. lacera have not been well‐explained. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the impending bioactive metabolites and roles of B. lacera methanol leaf extract (Me‐BLL) in attenuating anxiety and depression through several experimental and computer‐aided approaches. The chemical characterization of Me‐BLL was performed through standard phytochemical and GC‐MS analyses. To explore the neuropharmacological insights, Swiss albino mice were treated with Me‐BLL at doses of 200–400 mg/kg, p.o. The anxiolytic effects were observed employing elevated plus maze (EPM), light–dark box (LDB), and hole‐board (HBT) tests, while antidepressant effects were evaluated using forced swimming (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST). Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and fluoxetine HCl (20 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as the reference standard. The phytochemical analyses revealed several bioactive metabolites, including higher contents of total phenolics and flavonoids. The EPM and LDB tests demonstrated an increased time spent in open arms and light box, and the HBT showed an increased number of head dipping, indicating the anxiolytic effects of Me‐BLL. The TST and FST revealed a decrease in immobility time, meaning the persuasive antidepressant effects. The antioxidative effects of Me‐BLL have also been observed prominently. Correspondingly, the computer‐aided investigation confirmed several bioactive lead molecules. Specifically, thymol and cuminol revealed potential anxiolytic and antioxidant effects, while stigmast‐5‐en‐3.beta.‐ol and gamma‐sitosterol possessed promising antidepressant effects. Taken these results as a base, the plant has imperative potentials in managing anxiety and depression‐like disorders.

Traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and phytochemical constituents of the genus Syzygium: A review

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Possible Effects and Mechanisms of Dietary Natural Products and Nutrients on Depression and Anxiety: A Narrative Review

“…Moreover, it was found that bergamot essential oil improved symptoms of stress-induced anxiety by enhancing the activities of GPx, CAT and SOD in the hippocampus and the frontal cortex [ 111 ]. Furthermore, Blumea lacera is an edible plant with various medicinal values and its leaf methanol extract mitigated anxiety-related behaviors by suppression of ROS formation via redox-related signaling pathway [ 116 ]. In a high fat diet-induced obese mouse model, low dose of alcohol decreased anxiety-like behaviors through upregulating the expression level of adiponectin and promoting the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway [ 117 ].…”

Beneficial effects of arthrocen on neuroinflammation and behavior like depression in stroke in a murine model

“…Reports have shown that bioactive natural agents effectively alleviate depressive-like immobility through their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuroprotective effects in the experimental models (Arabi et al, 2021;Hossen et al, 2021;Hua et al, 2019).…”