Antidepressant-Like Effect of Ilex paraguariensis in Rats

• Published in: BioMed research international 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.1-9
• Main Authors: Reis, Elizete De Moraes, Neto, Francisco Waldomiro Schreiner, Cattani, Vitória Berg, Peroza, Luis Ricardo, Busanello, Alcindo, Leal, Caroline Queiroz, Augusti Boligon, Aline, Lehmen, Tássia Fontana, Libardoni, Milena, Athayde, Margareth Linde, Fachinetto, Roselei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Animals; Antidepressants; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; Antioxidants; Anxiety; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Enzymes; Exploratory Behavior - drug effects; Ilex; Ilex paraguariensis - chemistry; Male; Mate plant; Maze Learning - drug effects; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Monoamine Oxidase - metabolism; Motor Activity - drug effects; Nervous system; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Rats, Wistar; Selegiline - pharmacology; Serotonin; Studies; Swimming
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/958209

In this study, we investigated the possible antidepressant-like effect of I. paraguariensis in rats. Rats were treated for four weeks with an aqueous extract of I. paraguariensis in drinking water, following the traditional preparation of this beverage. After the period of treatment, behavioral (elevated plus-maze, open field test, and forced swimming test) and biochemical parameters (lipid peroxidation assay, thiol content, vitamin C levels, and monoamine oxidase activity) were evaluated. Animals were also analyzed on forced swimming test after 24 hours of I. paraguariensis intake. An additional group was injected with selegiline 24 hours and 30 minutes before forced swimming test as positive control. HPLC analysis revealed the profile of I. paraguariensis extract. I. paraguariensis reduced the immobility time on forced swimming test without significant changes in locomotor activity in the open field test. Any anxiolytic/anxiogenic effect of I. paraguariensis was observed in rats through the elevated plus-maze test. The antidepressant-like effect of I. paraguariensis was not accompanied by inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidase activity. There were no significant alterations on lipid peroxidation, thiol content, and vitamin C levels among the groups. In conclusion, aqueous extract of I. paraguariensis decreases the time of immobility in rats suggesting an antidepressant-like effect.