The aqueous extract of Albizia adianthifolia leaves attenuates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced anxiety, depression and oxidative stress in rat amygdala.
BACKGROUND
While the Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W. Wright (Fabaceae) is a traditional herb largely used in the African traditional medicine as analgesic, purgative, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, memory-enhancer, anxiolytic and antidepressant drug, there are no scientific data that clarify the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned animal model of Parkinson's disease. This study was undertaken in order to identify the effects of aqueous extract of A. adianthifolia leaves on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced anxiety, depression and oxidative stress in the rat amygdala.


METHODS
The effect of the aqueous extract of A. adianthifolia leaves (150 and 300 mg/kg, orally, daily, for 21 days) on anxiety and depression was assessed using elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests, as animal models of anxiety and depression. Also, the antioxidant activity in the rat amygdala was assessed using assessed using superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase specific activities, the total content of the reduced glutathione, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. Statistical analyses were performed using by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant differences were determined by Tukey's post hoc test. F values for which p < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used in order to evaluate the connection between behavioral measures, the antioxidant defence and lipid peroxidation.


RESULTS
6-OHDA-lesioned rats exhibited the following: decrease of the exploratory activity, the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus-maze test and decrease of swimming time and increase of immobility time within forced swimming test. Administration of the aqueous extract significantly exhibited anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects and also antioxidant potential in the rat amygdala.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the aqueous extract ameliorates 6-OHDA-induced anxiety and depression by attenuation of the oxidative stress in the rat amygdala. These pieces of evidence accentuate its use in traditional medicine.
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box, 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon. galbajeanbeppe@yahoo.com.|Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, PO Box, 814, Maroua, Cameroon. galbajeanbeppe@yahoo.com.
Galba Jean
GJ
Beppe
Laboratory of Animal Biology and Physiology, University of Douala, PO Box, 24157, Douala, Cameroon. alainberd@yahoo.fr.
Alain Bertrand
AB
Dongmo
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, PO Box, 814, Maroua, Cameroon. fharquins@gmail.com.
Harquin Simplice
HS
Foyet
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box, 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon. dimo59@yahoo.com.
Théophile
T
Dimo
Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, Iasi, Romania. marius.mihasan@uaic.ro.
Marius
M
Mihasan
Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, Iasi, Romania. hritcu@uaic.ro.
Lucian
L
Hritcu
D031289:Albizzia / Q000737:chemistry*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase