Evaluation of antidepressant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian in male mice

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with serious impacts on individuals, and is often associated with physiological symptoms. In this study, we investigated the antidepressant effects of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian extract in male mice.

A total of 56 male mice (weight: 25-35 g; age: 6-8 weeks) were used. K. odoratissima Mozaffarian hydroalcoholic extract was prepared by maceration method. The forced swim test, open field test, and splash test were used to investigate the antidepressant effects. The mice were assigned into eight equal groups (n=7 each) as follows: receiving 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg of K. odoratissima Mozaffarian extract; receiving 5 mg/kg reserpine; receiving 5 mg/kg reserpine along with 20 mg fluoxetine; and normal saline. All injections were done intraperitoneally for one week before the test. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant capacity of serum and brain were also measured in all groups. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test.

Extract of K. odoratissima Mozaffarian significantly decreased the immobility time in forced swim test (P<0.001). The extract also significantly increased splash time and elapsed time in the open field test, which was statistically significant compared with reserpinated mice (P<0.001). Reserpine increased MDA levels and decreased the antioxidant capacity of serum and brain, whereas hydroalcoholic extract of K. odoratissima decreased MDA dose-dependently and increased antioxidant capacity (P<0.001).

The results of this study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of K. odoratissima has antidepressant effects, but further studies are necessary to investigate the involved mechanisms.