Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Effects and Subacute Toxicity of the Aerial Parts of Psychotria ankasensis J.B.Hall (Rubiaceae) in Murine Models.

Francis Ackah Armah,Desmond Omane Acheampong,Genevieve Etornam Adukpo,John Alake,Isaac Kingsley Amponsah,Robert Peter Biney,Christian Kweku Adokoh,Isaac Tabiri Henneh,Peter K Gathumbi,Fynn Malcolm,Mustapha Abubakar Ahmed,Wisdom Ahlidja,Md Sahab Uddin

doi:10.1155/2021/5543320

Abstract

Background The present study aimed at validating the traditional use and toxicity profile of a methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Psychotria ankasensis in alleviating depression and anxiety disorders. Method The antidepressant effect of methanolic extract of Psychotria ankasensis (PAE 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) was assessed in mice using the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). The plant's anxiolytic potential was also evaluated in mice using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the open field tests (OFT). The subacute toxicity was assessed via oral administration of PAE at doses of 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg in rats for 28 days. Results PAE 100 and 300 mg/kg showed antidepressant-like properties by significantly (at least p < 0.05) decreasing the frequency and duration of immobility in FST and TST. PAE (100 and 300 mg/kg) also showed a significant (at least p < 0.05) anxiolytic effect in both EPM and OFT. In the EPM test, Emax for PAE and diazepam were 92.52 ± 40.11% and 85.95 ± 45.92%, respectively, whereas Emax was approximately 100% for both test drugs in the OFT. Subacute administration of PAE did not reveal any toxic effects with respect to organ weight index, haematological, serum biochemical, and histopathological parameters. Conclusions Methanolic extract of P. ankasensis exhibited antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects devoid of significant toxicity at the doses tested in murine models.

Highlights

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders that affects one out of every sixteen persons worldwide [1]
A similar observation was made with diazepam 1 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 3 mg/kg (p < 0.001) as presented in Figure 4(c). e frequency of entry into the open arms was significantly (p < 0.05) increased at 300 mg/kg of Psychotria ankasensis extract TST (PAE) (Figure 44(b)), whereas diazepam could not increase it significantly (Figure 4(d))
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Summary

Introduction

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders that affects one out of every sixteen persons worldwide [1]. It is characterized by symptoms such as anhedonia, low selfesteem, and suicidality. It is a leading cause of a number of diseases or disability burden all over the world [2]. Antidepressants in clinical use, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), are refractory in about 50% of patients, have delayed onset of action, and are accompanied by numerous side effects [3]. A high comorbidity exists between depression and anxiety, two mental diseases that reduce patients’ quality of life [4].

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Results

Conclusion