Evaluation of the antidepressant-like activity of solvent fractions of Hypericum revolutum (Hypericaceae) in rodent models of depression
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Date
2017-10
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Evaluation of the antidepressant-like activity of the solvent fractions of Hypericum revolutum in rodent models of depression
Seife Demissie
Addis Ababa University, 2017
Various species of the genus Hypericum have been used for different purposes. A previous study showed that 80% methanol extract of Hypericum revolutum was active in animal models of depression. In the current study, the antidepressant-like activity of the various fractions of the plant at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg were investigated using different depression paradigms. Furthermore, phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography (TLC) investigation were made. Antidepressant-like activity was detected in the butanol and chloroform fractions of this species in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) being both fractions with more profound effect at the middle and higher doses induced a significant reduction of the immobility time, producing no effects on spontaneous motor activity when assessed in open field test (OFT). However, the 100mg/kg of butanol fraction was unable to replicate the effect seen in TST in FST. In conclusion, the present study results together with phytochemical and TLC-data indicated that Hypericum revolutum possess antidepressant-like effects in mice/rats. Moreover, the different phytoconstituents, such as anthraquinones, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and tannins or combined derivatives, could be responsible at least in part for the antidepressant-like effect observed for this species.
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Hypericum revolutum, antidepressant-like activity, solvent fractions, forced swimming test, tail suspension test, open field test.