Evaluation of the Antidepressant-like Activity of the Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Rosa Abyssinica Lindley (Rosaceae) Using Rodent Models of Depression

Abstract

Background: The fruit of Rosa abyssinica Lindley (Rosaceae) is claimed to alleviate depression in folkloric Ethiopian medicine. Nevertheless, the antidepressant-like effect has not been assessed in rodent models of depression. Methods: The test animals were randomly selected and divided into five groups (n = 8). Group I and II received 2% Tween 80 and the standard drug imipramine (30 mg/kg) respectively while Groups III to V received increasing doses of the extracts and duration of immobility at three dose levels of the crude extract and (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was the parameter determined to assess the antidepressant-like activity of R. abyssinica in tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). The locomotor activity was also evaluated in terms of number of square crossings using the open field test (OFT) in order to rule out possible psycho-stimulant activity. Results: The crude extract at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the time of immobility in the TST and FST. The aqueous fraction at 200 mg/kg displayed a significant reduction of 38% in the duration of immobility in TST which was superior to the effect of imipramine. The methanol fraction displayed a significant reduction in the duration of immobility of 33.93% only at 200 mg/kg. The ethyl acetate fraction was devoid of activity. No significant change in locomotor activity was detected in all the doses of the crude extract and imipramine in OFT. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that this plant possesses an appreciable antidepressant-like activity.