Abstract
This study assessed the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of a methanol leaves extract of Cnesmone javanica (CV) in Swiss albino mice. The study found a significant increase in the percentage of time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus maze and in the incidence of head dipping in hole-board tests following the administration of 400 mg/kg of CV or 1 mg/kg diazepam. Moreover, a significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent reduction was observed in the immobility time following CV (200 and 400 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) administration for forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis identified 62 compounds in CV, consisting primarily of phenols, terpenoids, esters, and other organic compounds. A molecular docking study was performed to assess the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of 45 selected compounds against human serotonin transporter and potassium channels receptors. Network pharmacology was performed to predict the pathways involved in these neuropharmacological effects. Overall, CV demonstrated significant and dose-dependent anxiolytic and antidepressant effects due to the presence of several bioactive phytoconstituents, which should be further explored using more advanced and in-depth mechanistic research.
Highlights
Medical plant use has achieved growing interest in developing countries, representing first therapeutic approach in 80% of developing countries
If significant actions are not taken on a global level, the health problems associated with mental disorders are expected to become increasingly serious
The present study explored the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of a methanol extract of C. javanica (CV), combined with a gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis
Summary
Medical plant use has achieved growing interest in developing countries, representing first therapeutic approach in 80% of developing countries. A significant proportion of the world’s population (87.5%) uses herbal remedies to treat health problems [1]. If significant actions are not taken on a global level, the health problems associated with mental disorders are expected to become increasingly serious. Several gaps and inconsistencies exist in the current understanding of the numerous issues associated with mental health disorders, and treatment resources are often insufficient, in low-income and developing countries [6]. Several anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs are used clinically for the treatment of these disorders, currently available drugs are associated with several undesirable side effects [6,7,8,9]. Effective medications with fewer side effects are urgently necessary for the treatment of mental disorders
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