Abstract
Medicinal plants such as Aloysia polystachya are often used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases, including anxiety- and depression-related humor disturbances. In folk medicine, A. polystachya is used to treat digestive and respiratory tract disturbances, as a sedative and antidepressant agent, and as a tonic for the nerves. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic effect from the hydroethanolic extract from the leaves of Aloysia polystachya (HELAp) in zebrafish. The extract was analyzed through ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS) and the main compound detected was acteoside. HELAp was administered orally (10 mg/kg) and through immersion (mg/L). The anxiolytic activity was evaluated through the scototaxis (light–dark) test using caffeine as an anxiogenic agent and buspirone as a positive control. The parameters assessed were: period spent in the white compartment (s), latency (s), alternations (n), erratic swims (n), period of freezing (s), thigmotaxis (s), and risk evaluation (n). The antidepressant effect was evaluated through the novel tank diving test using 1% ethanol, unpredictable chronic stress, and social isolation as depressors; fluoxetine was used as a positive control. The parameters assessed were: period spent at the top of the tank, latency, quadrants crossed, erratic swim, period of freezing, and distance of swam. The main chemical compound of HELAp was acteoside. The administration of the extract on zebrafish managed to revert the anxiogenic effect of caffeine without impairing their locomotion. Additionally, the treatment exerted antidepressant activity similarly to fluoxetine. Overall, the results suggest a significant anxiolytic and antidepressant activity to the extract, which is probably due to the presence of the major compound, acteoside.
Highlights
Mental and behavioral disorders are currently among the major causes of disability due to disturbances of affected people’s mood and feelings
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.6% of people in the world suffer from anxiety disorder, and 4.4% suffer from depression; in 2020, depression will be the leading disabling disease on the world [1]
There are several plants used in folk medicine used to relieve anxiety and depression, for instance, Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae), a plant found in South America, popularly known as “burrito”
Summary
Mental and behavioral disorders are currently among the major causes of disability due to disturbances of affected people’s mood and feelings. Different stress situations occur during the lifetime, and these situations can affect individuals differently, resulting in non-specific psychopathological manifestations such as depression and anxiety [2,3]. There are several plants used in folk medicine used to relieve anxiety and depression, for instance, Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae), a plant found in South America, popularly known as “burrito”. The leaves of this plant have some known properties, such as digestive activity [5], sedative and tranquilizer [6,7], and antidepressant activity in mice [8] and rats [9]
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