Capparis spinosa aerial parts total extract and ethyl acetate partition showed promising antidepressant effects in mice model

Abstract

Capparis spinosa, displays protection against oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. Considering the beneficial effects of C. spinosa since its antidepressant effects have not been studied before, we investigated antidepressant efficacy of the total extract (TCS) and ethyl acetate extract (ECS) of C. spinosa in mice. Male mice (27 +/- 2 g) were used. To initiate depression, dexamethasone (Dex, 15 mu g/kg subcutaneously) was injected for two weeks, ECS or TCS were administered by gavage feeding tube daily. After the locomotor test, depression criteria were evaluated by forced swim test (FST), sucrose preference (SP) test, and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT). Dex increased immobility time during FST, latency to food intake increased during NSFT compared to normal group, and SP reduced. TCS or ECS (50-25 mg/kg) each alone reduced immobility time during FST (versus control, p < 0.01), and elevated SP to above 65 proved to have antidepressant effect. After the combination treatment Dex-TCS and Dex-ECS a notable reduction in immobility time was seen in FST (versus Dex alone group, p < 0.001). During NSFT in Dex-TCS and Dex-ECS the latency time significantly reduced (p < 0.05 versus Dex). These results were comparable with fluoxetine co-administration. The changes in locomotor activity did not interfere with the FST results. ECS and TCS exhibited antidepressant-like effects in mice, that is potentially related to a mixture of effects including antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that warrant further investigation.