Antidepressant-like effects of an ethanolic extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre roots in mice

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of an ethanolic extract of the roots of the plant in two animal models of depression the Forced Swimming Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) has been reported. The extract (100-1000 mg kg-1; p.o.), dose-dependently reduced the duration of immobility in both the FST (ED50: 296.20±53.97 mg kg-1) and TST (203.90±39.01 mg kg-1).The effect of the extract was 20-50 times less potent than imipramime and fluoxetine which were used as standards. Pretreatment with α-methydopa (400 mg kg-1; 3 h; p.o.) attenuated the anti-immobility effects of imipramime but not SJE and fluoxetine. Similarly, pretreatment with reserpine (1 mg kg-1; 24 h; s.c.) abolished the effect of imipramime and partially the effects of SJE but not fluoxetine. A concomitant treatment with α-methyldopa and reserpine attenuated the effects of all but fluoxetine. The extract, imipramime and fluoxetine did not modify motor performance on the rotarod test at all doses tested. Putting all together, present results suggest that SJE has antidepressant-like effects in the model employed and may possibly exert its effects by modifying monoamine transport and/or metabolism. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.