Evidence for the Involvement of Monoaminergic Pathways in the Antidepressant-Like Activity of Cymbopogon citratus in Mice

Abstract

Depression is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder, which affects the quality of life of the sufferers and treatment approach is associated with serious adverse effects and sometimes therapeutic failures. (CC) has been reported to exert anti-depressant effect but its mechanism of action is yet to be elucidated hence, the need for this study. The anti-depressant-like effect of aqueous leaf was evaluated using forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and yohimbine-induced lethality test (YLT) in aggregated mice. Interaction studies involving p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA), an inhibitor of serotonin biosynthesis and yohimbine, α-adrenergic receptor antagonist were carried out to evaluate the role of monoaminergic system in the anti-depressant-like effect of CC. The effect of CC on spontaneous motor activity (SMA) was also assessed using activity cage. (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) demonstrated antidepressant-like activity devoid of significant stimulation of the SMA in mice. However, the antidepressant-like property of CC was significantly (p<0.05) attenuated by pretreatment with yohimbine suggesting involvement of noradrenergic pathway in the action of the extract. Also, pCPA reversed the anti-immobility effect of CC, indicating the role of serotonergic system in the mediation of its antidepressant activity. Moreover, CC (25 and 50 mg/kg) potentiated the lethal effect of yohimbine in aggregated mice, which further suggest the involvement of monoaminergic systems in its action. The results of the study showed that might be interacting with serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways to mediate its anti-depressant-like effect in mice.

Evaluation of the Neurobehavioral Properties of Naringin in Swiss Mice

“…In this study, intraperitoneal administration of naringin was found to significantly decrease the duration of immobility of mice in the FST and TST in comparison with vehicle controls, which indicates antidepressant-like property. This finding further supports previous investigations, which showed that anti-depressants reduced the immobility time of rodents in the FST and TST [36,40,41]. However, the anti-depressant property of naringin was not associated with CNS stimulation; as it did not cause any significant change in spontaneous motor activity in mice.…”

“…The FST and TST-induced immobility are widely use behavioral despair models of depression; for the evaluation of compounds with potential anti-depressant-like property in rodents [36,37,40]. The state of immobility is indicative of behavioral despair in rodents and the reduction in the duration of immobility serves as selective and specific marker of anti-depressant-like property [37,41]. In this study, intraperitoneal administration of naringin was found to significantly decrease the duration of immobility of mice in the FST and TST in comparison with vehicle controls, which indicates antidepressant-like property.…”

Role of Herbal Teas in Regulating Cellular Homeostasis and Autophagy and Their Implications in Regulating Overall Health

“…The essential oil of lemongrass showed anti-anxiolytic activity by activating GABA A receptor–benzodiazepine complex in mice [ 257 ]. Further aqueous extract of the extract exhibited anti-depressant-like activity mediated by the monoaminergic pathway, indicating the neuroprotective efficacy of the plant [ 258 ].…”

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf aqueous extract ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in mice by promoting gastrointestinal motility and regulating the gut microbiota

“…Ancient books in China record its effects of dredging wind and collaterals, reducing swelling and pain, and gastric ventilation . Recent scientific studies have shown that CC has antibacterial (Iram et al, 2019), antioxidant (Tiwari et al, 2010), anti-inflammatory (Figueirinha et al, 2010), anti-anxiety (Mendes Hacke et al, 2020) and antidepressant (Umukoro et al, 2017)…”

“…Ancient books in China record its effects of dredging wind and collaterals, reducing swelling and pain, and gastric ventilation ( Li et al, 2020 ). Recent scientific studies have shown that CC has antibacterial ( Iram et al, 2019 ), antioxidant ( Tiwari et al, 2010 ), anti-inflammatory ( Figueirinha et al, 2010 ), anti-anxiety ( Mendes Hacke et al, 2020 ) and antidepressant ( Umukoro et al, 2017 ) activities, and it is beneficial in the treatment of diabetes ( Borges et al, 2021 ), liver damage ( Uchida et al, 2017 ), and even cancers ( Rojas-Armas et al, 2020 ; Gomes et al, 2021 ; Pan et al, 2022 ).…”