Antidepressant-like activity of Sonchus oleraceus in mouse models of immobility tests.
The aim of the present work is to evaluate the putative antidepressant-like effects of hydroethanolic and dichloromethanic extracts from the aerial parts of Sonchus oleraceus (Family Asteraceae) on the performance of male mice in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) models predictive of depression. The hydroethanolic and dichloromethanic extracts, both in doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, were orally administered 1 hour before carrying out the FST or the TST. The immobility time in both the FST and the TST was significantly reduced by acute oral treatment with the extracts (dose range, 100-300 mg/kg), without accompanying changes in ambulation, as assessed in an open-field test. This excluded the possibility that the effect of the extracts is due to an activation of locomotion. The efficacy of the extracts was found to be comparable to that of amitriptyline (10 mg/kg, p.o.). The present study provides evidence for an antidepressant-like effect of the active principle(s) present in the extracts of S. oleraceus in mice. Therefore, a standardized S. oleraceus extract or its purified constituents could be of potential interest for the treatment of depressive disorders.
Department of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Alfenas-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Fabiana Cardoso
FC
Vilela
Marina de Mesquita
Mde M
Padilha
Geraldo
G
Alves-da-Silva
Roseli
R
Soncini
Alexandre
A
Giusti-Paiva
D000639:Amitriptyline; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension / Q000523:psychology; D046353:Immobility Response, Tonic / Q000187:drug effects*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031184:Sonchus; D013550:Swimming
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000639:Amitriptyline