Abstract
Hoodia gordonii is a plant species used traditionally in southern Africa to suppress appetite. Recently, it has been associated with a significant increase in blood pressure and pulse rate in women, suggesting sympathomimetic activity. The present study investigated the possible antidepressant-like effects of acute and repeated (15 days) administration of H. gordonii extract (25 and 50 mg/kg, po) to mice exposed to a forced swimming test (FST). Neurochemical analysis of brain monoamines was also carried out to determine the involvement of the monoaminergic system on these effects. Acute administration of H. gordonii decreased the immobility of mice in the FST without accompanying changes in general activity in the open-field test during acute treatment, suggesting an antidepressant-like effect. The anti-immobility effect of H. gordonii was prevented by pretreatment of mice with PCPA [an inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis], NAN-190 (a 5-HT1A antagonist), ritanserin (a 5-HT2A/2C antagonist), ondansetron (a 5-HT3A antagonist), prazosin (an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist), SCH23390 (a D1 receptor antagonist), yohimbine (an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist), and sulpiride (a D2 receptor antagonist). A significant increase in 5-HT levels in the striatum was detected after acute administration, while 5-HT, norepinephrine and dopamine were significantly elevated after chronic treatment. Results indicated that H. gordonii possesses antidepressant-like activity in the FST by altering the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic systems.
Highlights
Depression is one of the most prevalent chronic neuropsychiatric disorders that affects up to 20% of the population around the globe [1]
The present study investigated a possible antidepressant-like action of acute and chronic doses of H. gordonii extract administered to mice and tested in the forced swimming test (FST) [9], one of the most common animal models used for screening antidepressant drugs
Effect of H. gordonii on immobility time in the FST Figure 1A revealed that the immobility time of animals in the FST was reduced in a significant manner after acute administration of H. gordonii at doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg (H25 and H50) compared to control
Summary
Depression is one of the most prevalent chronic neuropsychiatric disorders that affects up to 20% of the population around the globe [1]. Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne is a cactus-like succulent species from the Apocycnacaea family used traditionally among the San tribe of southern Africa to suppress appetite when away on long hunting trips [6] This traditional use was further validated in initial exploratory research when an oxypregnane glycoside (P57) was proposed as the active compound related to weight loss induced by administration of H. gordonii to female rats [7]. From these studies, H. gordonii has gained increasing interest as a natural appetite suppressant in weight management, and products containing the species have been marketed in several countries around the world. Because of the absence of scientific evidence for its efficacy and safety, the sale of H. gordonii was prohibited in Brazil by the National Health Surveillance Agency in February 2007
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