Abstract: Members of the plant genus Morus are widely used traditionally in Asia to treat depression, Morus mesozygia is the only member of the genus native to Africa. The study was carried out to evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of Ethanolic Extract of Morus Mesozygia Leaves (EEMM) in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Materials and Methods: Male Swiss mice were randomly assigned to 6 different experimental groups and treated groups were given EEMM (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p) 30 minutes before exposure to different mild stressors in the CUMS paradigm for 14 days. They were then subjected to Sucrose Preference Test (SPT) and Forced Swim Test (FST). At the end of the behavioral studies, the levels of Nitrite, Malondialdehyde and Gluthathione in the homogenate of the brain tissues were determined spectrophotometrically. One-way ANOVA was used to statistically determine significant differences. Result: The results showed that EEMM at all doses significantly decreased immobility periods of stressed mice in the forced swim test without increasing the locomotor activity in open field test, and as well reversed the stress-induced anhedonia in the sucrose preference test. Biochemical analysis showed that EEMM significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the concentrations of Nitrite and MDA while the GSH level was elevated in the brains of mice exposed to CUMS. Conclusion: The findings provide significant evidences that EEMM has valid antidepressant-like activity, and might be useful in the management of stress-related disorders on account of its adaptogenic and neuroprotective effects as it prevents oxidative damage in brain tissues.
Keywords: Anhedonia, Stress, Neuroprotective, Depression, Medicinal plant.
Title: Behavioral and Biochemical Evidences of Antidepressant Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Morus Mesozygia Leaves in Mice Subjected to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress
Author: Adegbuyi O. Aderibigbe, Abimbola A. Sowunmi, Yusuf Usman, Elizabeth Olonode
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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