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Kukuia KK, Appiah F, Dugbartey GJ, Takyi YF, Amoateng P, Amponsah SK, Adi-Dako O, Koomson AE, Ayertey F, Adutwum-Ofosu KK. Extract of Mallotus oppositifolius (Geiseler) Müll. Arg. increased prefrontal cortex dendritic spine density and serotonin and attenuated para-chlorophenylalanine-aggravated aggressive and depressive behaviors in mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:962549. [PMID: 36386158 PMCID: PMC9649488 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.962549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aim: Depression-related aggression is linked to serotonin (5-HT) and dendritic spine alterations. Although Mallotus oppositifolius extract (MOE) has potential for reducing this effect, its specific role remains uncertain. Herein, we evaluated this potential and associated alterations in the brain. Methods: A standard resident-intruder model of para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA)-induced depression-associated aggression in male ICR mice was used. The resident mice received pCPA (300 mg/kg, i. p.) for 3 consecutive days while saline-treated mice served as negative control. The pCPA aggressive mice were subsequently treated orally with either MOE (30, 100, 300 mg/kg), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg), tryptophan (20 mg/kg) or saline (untreated pCPA group) for 28 days. Locomotor activity was assessed using open field test. Serotonin (5-HT) levels in mice brain and phytochemical fingerprint of MOE were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify constituents of MOE. Dendritic spine density and morphology were evaluated using Golgi-Cox staining technique and analyzed with ImageJ and Reconstruct software. Results: Administration of pCPA induced aggressive behavior in mice, evidenced by increased attack behaviors (increased number and duration of attacks), which positively correlated with squeaking and tail rattling. MOE treatment significantly reduced these characteristics of aggression in comparison with vehicle (non-aggressive) and untreated pCPA groups (p < 0.001), and also reduced social exploration behavior. Although the behavioral effects of MOE were comparable to those of fluoxetine and tryptophan, these effects were quicker compared to fluoxetine and tryptophan. Additionally, MOE also markedly increased 5-HT concentration and dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex relative to vehicle and untreated pCPA groups (p < 0.05). Interestingly, these behavioral effects were produced without compromising locomotor activity. GC-MS analysis of the MOE identified 17 known compounds from different chemical classes with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective and antidepressant activities, which may have contributed to its anti-aggressive effect. Conclusion: MOE decreased depression-associated aggressive behavior in mice via increased 5-HT concentration and dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex. The MOE-mediated effects were faster than those of fluoxetine and tryptophan. Our finding suggests that MOE may have clinical promise in decreasing aggressive and depressive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy K.E. Kukuia
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- *Correspondence: Kennedy K.E. Kukuia, ; Kevin K. Adutwum-Ofosu,
| | - Frimpong Appiah
- Department of Community Health and Medicine, School of Food and Health Sciences, Anglican University College of Technology, Nkoranza, Ghana
| | - George J. Dugbartey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yaw F. Takyi
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patrick Amoateng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Seth K. Amponsah
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ofosua Adi-Dako
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Awo E. Koomson
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Frederick Ayertey
- Department of Phytochemistry, Center for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong-Akuapem, Ghana
| | - Kevin K. Adutwum-Ofosu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- *Correspondence: Kennedy K.E. Kukuia, ; Kevin K. Adutwum-Ofosu,
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Kumbol VWA, Abotsi WKM, Biney RP. Antidepressant-like effect of Albizia zygia root extract in murine models. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2020; 32:/j/jbcpp.ahead-of-print/jbcpp-2019-0310/jbcpp-2019-0310.xml. [PMID: 32329753 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F. Macbr. (Leguminosae) has been used to treat mental disorders in traditional African medicine. Nonetheless, there is limited scientific evidence to justify its present use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant activity of the hydroethanolic extract of A. zygia roots (AZE) in murine models. Methods AZE was evaluated in the tail suspension test, forced swim test, and the repeated open-space swim test of depression. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of action, the activity of AZE was re-evaluated after treating mice with selective inhibitors of monoamine biosynthesis. The potential of AZE to influence spontaneous locomotion was also examined. Results AZE (100-1000 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced the immobility time of mice in the tail suspension and forced swim tests (at least p < 0.05). In the repeated open-space swim test, AZE reduced the immobility time (at least p < 0.05) while concomitantly increasing the distance swam by mice (p < 0.01). However, the antidepressant-like activity of AZE was attenuated by α-methyl-para-tyrosine and reserpine (p < 0.0001) but not para-chlorophenylalanine. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that AZE possesses antidepressant-like properties and support the traditional use of AZE for the treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Wumbor-Apin Kumbol
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Wonder Kofi Mensah Abotsi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Phone: +233243723118
| | - Robert Peter Biney
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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