Anxiolytic-like efects of Pseudospondias microcarpa hydroethanolic leaf extract in zebrafsh: Possible involvement of GABAergic and serotonergic pathways
Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Natural Products and Bioprospecting
Abstract
Pseudospondias microcarpa is used in ethnomedicine to manage central nervous system diseases. The hydroethanolic
extract (PME) from the leaves of the plant has shown anxiolytic-like properties in mice anxiety models. However, its
efects in chronic anxiety models and possible mechanism(s) of action were not studied. Therefore, the current study
evaluated the anxiolytic-like mechanisms of PME in zebrafsh models of anxiety. The zebrafsh light dark test (LDT)
and novel tank test (NTT) were employed to assess the anxiolytic-like efects of PME (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 mg mL−1), fuox etine (3× 10−5 mg mL−1) and diazepam (1.5× 10−7 mg mL−1). The chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) test was used
to further evaluate the extract’s anxiolytic-like properties. The potential mechanisms of anxiolytic action of the extract
was evaluated after pre-treated with fumazenil, granisetron, methysergide, or pizotifen, all at 1× 10−3 mg mL−1. The
extract signifcantly decreased anxiety behaviours in the NT and LD tests. These observed efects of the extract were
however counteracted by fumazenil, granisetron, methysergide and pizotifen pre-treatment. In addition, PME treat ment signifcantly reversed CUS-induced anxiety behaviours in zebrafsh. Results show that PME possesses anxiolytic like efects possibly through interaction with serotonergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid mediated pathways
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Anxiety disorders, Anxiety disorders, Zebrafsh, Novel tank, Benzodiazepines