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Investigating the antidepressant effect of Berberis vulgaris L. hydroalcoholic extract in mouse models of depression
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Reza Sadri   , Ghader Najafi *  , Saeid Abbasi-Maleki |
| Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran |
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Abstract: (326 Views) |
Background and Aim: Berberis vulgaris L. has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and reducing morphine withdrawal signs effects. With this background, the aim of the present study is to investigate the antidepressant effect of B. vulgaris hydroalcoholic extract (BVHE) in forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST).
Methods: 84 male albino mice (6 mice in each group) were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg), imipramine (30 mg/kg), and different doses of BVHE (40, 20, 80, and 160 mg/kg) and then they were subjected to FST and TST. The open-filed test (OFT) was also used to assess mice locomotion.
Results: All doses of BVHE (except the dose of 20 mg/kg) decrease the duration of immobility in both FST and TST
(p < 0.001). In addition, BVHE increased the duration of swimming (p < 0.001) without a significant change in the climbing time in FST (p > 0.05). The locomotion of mice (the number of crossings and rearings) did not show any significant change in the OFT (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Due to B. vulgaris anti-depressant effects in both mouse models, its antidepressant effects are similar to those of serotonergic drugs (such as fluoxetine). However, determining the exact mechanism of its action requires more and more extensive studies.
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| Keywords: Forced swimming test, Oxidative stress, Berberis vulgaris L., Antidepressant |
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Full-Text [PDF 827 kb]
(135 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Neuroscience
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