Antidepressant, anxiolytic, and anticataleptic effects of aqueous leaf extract of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (Moraceae) in mice: possible mechanisms of actions
-
Esther O. Agbaje
,
Ismail O. Ishola
Abstract
Background: The leaves of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (Moraceae) are used by traditional medicine practitioners in southwest Nigeria in the management of epilepsy, wounds, and neurological disorders. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the aqueous leaf extract of A. toxicaria on the central nervous system.
Methods: One hour after administration of A. toxicaria [50–300 mg/kg orally (p.o.)], its antidepressant effect was evaluated using the forced swimming test (FST), anxiolytic effect using elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and anticataleptic effect using haloperidol-induced catalepsy, whereas its effects on hypnosis and motor coordination were studied using hexobarbitone-induced sleeping time and open-field tests, respectively, in mice.
Results: Antiaris toxicaria (300 mg/kg) significantly increased swimming activity (36.88%) and reduced immobility time (38.54%). Pretreatment of mice with prazosin (an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist), sulpiride (a D2 receptor antagonist), and l-NG-nitro-arginine (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) 15 min before A. toxicaria (300 mg/kg p.o.) treatment significantly prevented its antidepressant-like effect by 35.58%, 53.30%, and 56.11%, respectively, in the FST. However, pretreatment with metergoline (5-HT2 receptor antagonist), and atropine (muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) failed to reverse this effect. Interestingly, A. toxicaria (50 mg/kg) significantly increased open-arm exploration in the EPM by 70.31%, which was reversed by 82.66% in the presence of flumazenil [3 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)]. Haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.) induced cataleptic behavior in mice, which was reversed by A. toxicaria (300 mg/kg) (p<0.001) treatment.
Conclusions: The results suggest that A. toxicaria possesses an antidepressant-like effect involving interaction with α1-adrenoceptor, D2 dopamine receptor, and nitrergic pathway; an anxiolytic-like effect linked to the benzodiazepine system; and a neuroprotective effect.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Mr. Micah C. Chijioke of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria, for his technical assistance.
Conflict of interest statement
Authors’ conflict of interest disclosure: The authors stated that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.
Research funding: None declared.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Get more of the Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology
- Review
- Review on treatment of premenstrual syndrome: from conventional to alternative approach
- Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity
- Sodium valproate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the colon of mice
- Vascular Conditions
- PKC-δ isozyme gene silencing restores vascular function in diabetic rats
- Association of diet and anthropometric measures as cardiovascular modifiable risk factors in young adults
- Assessment of raloxifene, estradiol-17β, dl-ormeloxifene and levormeloxifene on thrombin activity
- Inflammation
- Antibacterial activity of the body wall extracts of sea cucumber (Invertebrata; Echinodermata) on infectious oral streptococci
- Chronic ethanol use in alcoholic beverages by HIV-infected patients affects the therapeutic window of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine during the 9-month follow-up period: using chronic alcohol-use biomarkers
- Preclinical efficacy of melatonin in the amelioration of tenofovir nephrotoxicity by the attenuation of oxidative stress, nitrosative stress and inflammation in rats
- Infection
- Antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effect of pecan (Carya illinoensis) nut shell extract in mice: a possible beneficial use for a by-product of the nut industry
- Phytotherapy
- Toxicological evaluation of the lyophilized fruit juice extract of Annona muricata Linn. (Annonaceae) in rodents
- Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Ixora coccinea
- Antidepressant, anxiolytic, and anticataleptic effects of aqueous leaf extract of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (Moraceae) in mice: possible mechanisms of actions
- Pharmacological evaluation of the analgesic and anxiolytic activities of Jobelyn® in mice
- Abortifacient potential of ethanolic seed extract of Caesalpinia bonducella in female albino rats
