Browsing by Author "Torbi, J."

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Glycine/NMDA Receptor Pathway Mediates the Rapid-onset Antidepressant Effect of Alkaloids From Trichilia Monadelpha
(2021) Kukuia, K.K.E.; Mensah, J.A.; Amoateng, P.; Osei-Safo, D.; Koomson, A.E.; Torbi, J.; Adongo, D.W.; Ameyaw, E.O.; Ben, I.O.; Amponsah, S.K.; Bugyei, K.A.
Introduction: Major depressive disorder is often associated with suicidal tendencies, and this condition accentuates the need for rapid-acting antidepressants. We previously reported that Alkaloids (ALK) from Trichilia monadelpha possess antidepressant action in acute animal models of depression and that this effect is mediated through the monoamine and L-arginine NO-cGMP pathways. This study investigated the possible rapid-onset antidepressant effect of ALK from T. monadelpha and its connection with the glycine/NMDA receptor pathway. Methods: The onset of ALK action from T. monadelpha was evaluated using the Open Space Swim Test (OSST), a chronic model of depression. The modified forced swimming and tail suspension tests were used to assess the effect of the ALK on the glycine/NMDA receptor pathway. The Instutute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were treated with either ALK (30–300 mg/kg, orally [PO]), imipramine (3–30 mg/kg, PO), fluoxetine (3–30 mg/kg, PO), or saline. To identify the role of glycine/NMDA receptor pathway in the effect of ALK, we pretreated mice with a partial agonist of the glycine/NMDA receptor, D-cycloserine (2.5 mg/ kg, intraperitoneally [IP]), and an agonist of glycine/NMDA receptor, D-serine (600 mg/kg, IP), before ALK administration. Results: ALK reversed immobility in mice after the second day of drug treatment in the OSST. In contrast, there was a delay in the effects induced by fluoxetine and imipramine. ALK also increased mean swimming and climbing scores in mice. ALK was more efficacious than imipramine and fluoxetine in reducing immobility and increasing distance traveled. It is noteworthy that ALK was less potent than fluoxetine and imipramine. D-cycloserine potentiated mobility observed in the ALK- and fluoxetine-treated mice. In contrast, D-serine decreased mobility in the ALK-treated mice. Conclusion: The study results suggest that ALK from T. monadelpha exhibits rapid antidepressant action in mice, and the glycine/NMDA receptor pathway possibly mediates the observed effect.
Iron and Postpartum Depression: A Preclinical Evaluation in Sprague-Dawley Rats
(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Torbi, J.
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects 10 - 20 % of women after child birth. It has been observed that gestational iron deficiency which affects mostly mothers and their infants causes a deficit in behavioural, cognitive and affective functions precipitating depressive symptoms in both mothers and their infants during the postpartum period. The present work examined the role of iron in depression during the postpartum period in animal models. Method: Female Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were crossed. Pregnant rats received iron (0.005 mgkg-1 – 8.0 mgkg-1) or fluoxetine (3 mgkg-1 – 30 mgkg-1) or desferrioxamine (50 mgkg-1) or vehicle throughout the period of gestation (21-23 days). During the postpartum period, mothers from all groups were taken through the open field test (OFT) on postnatal day (PND) 2, forced swim test (FST) from PND 3 to PND 16 and novelty-induced hypophagia (NIH) from PND 18 to PND 22 and sacrificed on PND 28 for histological examination of the brains. After weaning the litter were taken through OFT on PND 35, FST from PND 36 – to PND 49, NIH from PND 51 to PND 55 and sacrificed on PND 57 for histological examination of the brains. Results: Results showed that rats treated with iron chelator desferrioxamine and vehicle during gestation together with their litter had exhibited increased immobility scores in FST, increased latency scores with reduced feeding in NIH and a decreased number of neurons and dendritic branches in the cortex of the brain. These depression-related effects were attenuated by iron supplementation which caused decreased immobility scores in FST comparable to rats treated with fluoxetine, a clinically effective antidepressant. Iron treatment decreased latency scores with increased feeding in NIH. Iron treated rats and their litter had a higher number of neurons with dendritic connections in the cortex similar to the effects of fluoxetine which has been associated with proliferation of neurons. Conclusion: These results together suggest that, iron supplementation during gestation exerts an antidepressant-like effect on depressive behaviour in postpartum rats and their litter as well as attenuates the neuronal loss associated with depressive conditions.