Scholarlink

Background <p>An ethnomedicinal survey revealed the role of <i>Entada africana</i> against mental illnesses, and its crude extract was reported to possess antidepressant properties. In the present study, the antidepressant activities of chloroform and n-butanol fractions of <i>Entada africana</i> were investigated, and the potential pathways involved in the antidepressant-like actions of <i>Entada africana</i> crude extract and these two fractions were explored.</p> Methods <p><i>Entada africana</i> leaves were extracted using 75% v/v ethanol. The extract was successfully fractionated into chloroform and n-butanol fractions (CHF and NBF). Phytochemical and toxicity evaluations were carried out using standard procedures. Mice of both sexes received either distilled water (DW, 1&#xa0;mL/kg), imipramine (IMP, 10&#xa0;mg/kg), or doses of the chloroform fraction (150, 300, and 600&#xa0;mg/kg) and n-butanol fraction (100, 200, and 400&#xa0;mg/kg). The immobility time was determined via tail suspension and forced swim tests (TST &amp; FST). Locomotor activity was evaluated in the open field test (OFT). Mechanistic studies were performed by pretreating the mice with prazosin, baclofen, or naloxone to explore adrenergic, GABAergic, and opioidergic pathways, respectively.</p> Results <p>Cardiac glycosides, steroids, tannins, and flavonoids were detected in both the CHF and NBF. In addition, saponins were detected only in the NBF. The intraperitoneal median lethal doses (i.p LD<sub>50</sub>) were estimated at 2150 and 1260&#xa0;mg/kg body weight for CHF and NBF, respectively. In both the TST and FST, IMP and the two fractions showed a significant (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) reduction in immobility time compared to the DW group. In the OFT, the fractions did not increase locomotor activity. Furthermore, the actions of the ethanol leaf extract of <i>Entada africana</i> (EEEA) and NBF were attenuated by prazosin, baclofen, and naloxone. However, the observed actions of the CHF were blocked by pretreatment with prazosin and baclofen only.</p> Conclusions <p>The outcomes of this research indicate that the CHF and NBF of <i>Entada africana</i> possess antidepressant properties in animal models of depression. Moreover, the antidepressant activities of the EEEA and NBF may be mediated through the adrenergic, GABAergic, and opioidergic pathways, while those of the CHF are likely mediated via the adrenergic and GABAergic systems. Testing the extract and these two fractions in a chronic model of depression is recommended. The phytochemical constituents responsible for these activities should be isolated and characterized. Additionally, long-term safety assessment of the extract and its fractions is warranted.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Antidepressant-like activities of Entada africana Guill. & Perr. (Fabaceae) leaf extract and its chloroform and n-butanol fractions in mice: exploring mechanistic pathways

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月18日

查看全文
  • Mukhtar Yahya Bebeji,
  • Abdullahi Hamza Yaro,
  • Abdullahi Rabiu Abubakar

摘要

Background

An ethnomedicinal survey revealed the role of Entada africana against mental illnesses, and its crude extract was reported to possess antidepressant properties. In the present study, the antidepressant activities of chloroform and n-butanol fractions of Entada africana were investigated, and the potential pathways involved in the antidepressant-like actions of Entada africana crude extract and these two fractions were explored.

Methods

Entada africana leaves were extracted using 75% v/v ethanol. The extract was successfully fractionated into chloroform and n-butanol fractions (CHF and NBF). Phytochemical and toxicity evaluations were carried out using standard procedures. Mice of both sexes received either distilled water (DW, 1 mL/kg), imipramine (IMP, 10 mg/kg), or doses of the chloroform fraction (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) and n-butanol fraction (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). The immobility time was determined via tail suspension and forced swim tests (TST & FST). Locomotor activity was evaluated in the open field test (OFT). Mechanistic studies were performed by pretreating the mice with prazosin, baclofen, or naloxone to explore adrenergic, GABAergic, and opioidergic pathways, respectively.

Results

Cardiac glycosides, steroids, tannins, and flavonoids were detected in both the CHF and NBF. In addition, saponins were detected only in the NBF. The intraperitoneal median lethal doses (i.p LD50) were estimated at 2150 and 1260 mg/kg body weight for CHF and NBF, respectively. In both the TST and FST, IMP and the two fractions showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in immobility time compared to the DW group. In the OFT, the fractions did not increase locomotor activity. Furthermore, the actions of the ethanol leaf extract of Entada africana (EEEA) and NBF were attenuated by prazosin, baclofen, and naloxone. However, the observed actions of the CHF were blocked by pretreatment with prazosin and baclofen only.

Conclusions

The outcomes of this research indicate that the CHF and NBF of Entada africana possess antidepressant properties in animal models of depression. Moreover, the antidepressant activities of the EEEA and NBF may be mediated through the adrenergic, GABAergic, and opioidergic pathways, while those of the CHF are likely mediated via the adrenergic and GABAergic systems. Testing the extract and these two fractions in a chronic model of depression is recommended. The phytochemical constituents responsible for these activities should be isolated and characterized. Additionally, long-term safety assessment of the extract and its fractions is warranted.