Antidepressant Effects of Mallotus oppositifolius in Acute Murine Models. (12th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kukuia, Kennedy K. E.; Mante, Priscilla K.; Woode, Eric; Ameyaw, Elvis O.; Adongo, Donatus W.
• Other Names: D'Aquila P. S. Academic Editor.; Fernandez-Guasti A. Academic Editor.; Mingmalairak S. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN pharmacology. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-03-12
• Subjects: Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacological Phenomena; Pharmacology; Pharmacology; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/324063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5165

Abstract

Abstract : Objective . Hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Mallotus oppositifolius (MOE), a plant used for CNS conditions in Ghana, was investigated for acute antidepressant effects in the forced swimming (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST). Results . In both FST and TST, MOE (10, 30, and 100 mg kg −1 ) significantly decreased immobility periods and frequencies. A 3-day pretreatment with 200 mg kg −1, i.p., para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, reversed the decline in immobility and the increase of swimming score induced by MOE in the modified FST. Pretreatment with reserpine alone (1 mg kg −1 ), α -methyldopa alone (400 mg kg −1, i.p.), or a combination of both drugs failed to reverse the decline in immobility or the increase in swimming score caused by the extract in the modified FST. The extract potentiated the frequency of head twitch responses induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine. Pretreatment withd -serine (600 mg kg −1, i.p.), glycine/NMDA agonist, abolished the behavioural effects of MOE whiled -cycloserine (2.5 mg kg −1, i.p.), a glycine/NMDA partial agonist, potentiated it in both TST and modified FST. Conclusion . The extract exhibited antidepressant effects in mice which is mediated by enhancement of serotoninergic neurotransmission and inhibition of glycine/NMDA receptor activation.