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An extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn exhibits antidepressant properties through monoaminergic mechanisms

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Abstract

Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) has been used traditionally for many neurological conditions and some of these neuroactive effects have been scientifically substantiated. The usefulness of SNE in depression has however not been investigated despite the availability of data in other disease models indicating it may be useful. The present study therefore examined the effect of SNE in acute murine models of depression and the possible mechanisms mediating its activities in these models. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) screening were conducted on SNE. The behavioural effects of SNE (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg) pre-treated mice were examined in the forced swimming (FST) and tail suspension (TST) tests. Behavioural events such as mobility (swimming, climbing, curling and climbing), and immobility, were scored. The possible involvement of monoamines in the effects of SNE was assessed in the TST by pre-treating mice with α-methyldopa, reserpine and para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) in separate experiments. Flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, triterpenes, sterols, anthraquinones and phenolic compounds were present in SNE. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of two major constituents observed at retention times 42.56 and 46.51 min, with percentage composition of 45.72% and 36.88% respectively. SNE significantly reduced immobility scores in both FST and TST, suggesting antidepressant effects. The antidepressant properties of SNE were reversed by the pre-treatment of α-methyldopa, reserpine and pCPA, suggesting a possible involvement of monoamines (noradrenaline and serotonin) in its mechanism(s) of actions. SNE exhibits antidepressant effects, possibly mediated through an interplay of enhancement of noradrenergic and serotoninergic mechanisms.

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Acknowledgements

The contributions of Mary Dufie and Nigel Osei Amoateng during the experimentation are greatly appreciated. We are also grateful to the staff of the Animal Experimentation, NMIMR, Legon, Accra for their technical assistance.

Funding

This research was supported by the International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden, through a grant (# F/5191–1) to Dr. Patrick Amoateng. The research paper was supported by the University of Ghana-Building a New Generation of Academics in Africa (BANGA-Africa) project with funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O Box LG 43, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Patrick Amoateng, Kennedy Kwami Edem Kukuia, Jeffrey Amoako Mensah, Audrey Akyea Eklemet & Emmanuel Atsu Vinyo

  2. Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 56, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Dorcas Osei-Safo

  3. Department of Animal Experimentation, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Samuel Adjei

  4. School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

    Thomas K. Karikari

  5. Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

    Thomas K. Karikari

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  1. Patrick Amoateng
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  2. Kennedy Kwami Edem Kukuia
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  3. Jeffrey Amoako Mensah
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  5. Samuel Adjei
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  6. Audrey Akyea Eklemet
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Correspondence to Patrick Amoateng or Kennedy Kwami Edem Kukuia.

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Ethical approval

All animal procedures and techniques used in this studies were approved by the Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research [reference number STC-6 (1) 2012–13] and also by the Noguchi Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (NIACUC), College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana with protocol number NIACUC-2012-01-1E. The experiments conducted involving laboratory animals were done in accordance with described by the Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, National Research Council of the National Academies, NIH, US and also as per the Noguchi Institutional Care and Use of Laboratory Guidelines.

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Key message: Extract of Synedrella nodiflora exhibits antidepressant effects.

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Amoateng, P., Kukuia, K.K.E., Mensah, J.A. et al. An extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn exhibits antidepressant properties through monoaminergic mechanisms. Metab Brain Dis 33, 1359–1368 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-018-0244-0

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