Evaluation of antidepressant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian in male mice

Background and aims: Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with serious impacts on individuals, and is often associatedwith physiological symptoms. In this study, we investigated the antidepressant effects of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian extract in male mice.Methods: A total of ۵۶ male mice (weight: ۲۵-۳۵ g; age: ۶-۸ weeks) were used. K. odoratissima Mozaffarian hydroalcoholic extract wasprepared by maceration method. The forced swim test, open field test, and splash test were used to investigate the antidepressant effects.The mice were assigned into eight equal groups (n=۷ each) as follows: receiving ۲۵, ۵۰, ۷۵, and ۱۰۰ mg/kg of K. odoratissima Mozaffarianextract; receiving ۵ mg/kg reserpine; receiving ۵ mg/kg reserpine along with ۲۰ mg fluoxetine; and normal saline. All injections weredone intraperitoneally for one week before the test. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant capacity of serum and brain were alsomeasured in all groups. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test.Results: Extract of K. odoratissima Mozaffarian significantly decreased the immobility time in forced swim test (P < ۰.۰۰۱). The extract alsosignificantly increased splash time and elapsed time in the open field test, which was statistically significant compared with reserpinatedmice (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Reserpine increased MDA levels and decreased the antioxidant capacity of serum and brain, whereas hydroalcoholicextract of K. odoratissima decreased MDA dose-dependently and increased antioxidant capacity (P < ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of K. odoratissima has antidepressant effects, but further studiesare necessary to investigate the involved mechanisms.

Keywords:

Kelussia odoratissima , Depression , Flavonoids , Mice