title: Antidepressant-like effect of Ilex paraguariensis in rats.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the possible antidepressant-like effect of I. paraguariensis in rats. Rats were treated for four weeks with an aqueous extract of I. paraguariensis in drinking water, following the traditional preparation of this beverage. After the period of treatment, behavioral (elevated plus-maze, open field test, and forced swimming test) and biochemical parameters (lipid peroxidation assay, thiol content, vitamin C levels, and monoamine oxidase activity) were evaluated. Animals were also analyzed on forced swimming test after 24 hours of I. paraguariensis intake. An additional group was injected with selegiline 24 hours and 30 minutes before forced swimming test as positive control. HPLC analysis revealed the profile of I. paraguariensis extract. I. paraguariensis reduced the immobility time on forced swimming test without significant changes in locomotor activity in the open field test. Any anxiolytic/anxiogenic effect of I. paraguariensis was observed in rats through the elevated plus-maze test. The antidepressant-like effect of I. paraguariensis was not accompanied by inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase activity. There were no significant alterations on lipid peroxidation, thiol content, and vitamin C levels among the groups. In conclusion, aqueous extract of I. paraguariensis decreases the time of immobility in rats suggesting an antidepressant-like effect.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elizete De Moraes
authors.initials: Ede M
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Curso de Farmácia, Universidade de Cruz Alta, 98020-290 Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco Waldomiro
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Schreiner Neto
authors.affiliation: Curso de Farmácia, Universidade de Cruz Alta, 98020-290 Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vitória Berg
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Cattani
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas/Bioquímica Toxicológica, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Ricardo
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Peroza
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alcindo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Busanello
authors.affiliation: Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Queiroz
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Augusti
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Boligon
authors.affiliation: Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tássia Fontana
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Lehmen
authors.affiliation: Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Libardoni
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Margareth Linde
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Athayde
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil ; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas/Bioquímica Toxicológica, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roselei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fachinetto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D030019:Ilex paraguariensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012642:Selegiline / Q000494:pharmacology; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012642:Selegiline; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase