Antidepressant-like Effect of Kaempferol and Quercitirin, Isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten

Abstract

Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten. is widely cultivated in Jeju Island (South Korea) for use in manufacture of health foods. This study described antidepressant effect of two flavonoids (kaempferol and quercitrin) isolated from the Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten. The expression of the hypothalamic POMC mRNA or plasma β-endorphin levels were increased by extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten or its flavoniods administered orally. In addition, antidepressant activity was studied using tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST) and rota-rod test in chronically restraint immobilization stress group in mice. After restraint stress (2 hrs/day for 14 days), animals were kept in cage for 14 days without any further stress, bet with drugs. Mice were fed with a diet supplemented for 14 days and during the behavioral test period with kaempferol or quercitrin (30 mg/kg/day). POMC mRNA or plasma β-endorphin level was increased by extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten and its flavoniods. In addition, immobility time in TST and FST was significantly reduced by kaempferol or quercitrin. In rota-rod test, the time of permanence was maintained to the semblance of control group in turning at 15 rpm. Our results suggest that two flavonoids (kaempferol and quercitrin) isolated from the Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten. show a potent antidepressant effect.

Phenolic Acid and Flavonoid Composition of Malaysian Honeys

“…In a previous study, myricetin was reported to reduce the calcium-induced increase in oxidative metabolism in rat brain neurons when it was administered at 3 nM or greater (Oyama et al 1994). Additionally, kaempferol was reported to be useful for improving cognitive function due to its positive effects on depression, mood and cognitive functions (Park et al 2010).…”

“…In comparison, kaempferol was detected at lower concentrations (0.01-0.13 mg/100 g) in Australian jelly bush honeys, at 0.13-0.17 mg/100 g in New Zealand manuka honey (Yao et al 2003), 0.02-0.81 mg/kg in Malaysian honeys (Khalil et al 2011) and 0.01-0.099 mg/100 g in Polish honeys (Jasicka-Misiak et al 2012), but is slightly higher than the 0.00-3.01 mg/kg in honey samples from Bangladesh (Moniruzzaman et al 2014). Additionally, kaempferol was reported to be useful for improving cognitive function due to its positive effects on depression, mood and cognitive functions (Park et al 2010). Additionally, kaempferol was reported to be useful for improving cognitive function due to its positive effects on depression, mood and cognitive functions (Park et al 2010).…”

The effect of the essential oil ofEugenia caryophyllatain animal models of depression and locomotor activity

“…This difference in the two animal models could be attributed to the different situations the animal has been exposed to in the tests; where the TST involves free suspension in the air; and FST involves exposure to water under experimental conditions. [27][28][29][30] Both these animal models suggest that the mobility is associated with the depressive state of the animal. 27,[31][32][33] It is known from previous research that the effect of different antidepressant treatments were not merely due to the stimulation of motor activity because this effect was observed even at doses that otherwise decreased activity in the open field test.…”

Effects of Opuntia ficus-indica flower extract WS 1261 on mental and psychic function in subsyndromal fatigue – A pilot study

“…flower extract WS 1261 on mental and psychic a pilot study [17]. These findings encouraged the initiation of a trial on the effects of Sokatin in humans with symptoms of subsyndromal fatigue.…”