Antidepressive-Like Property of Dichloromethane Fraction ofPimenta pseudocaryophyllusand Relevance of Monoamine Metabolic Enzymes

Abstract

Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus popularly referred to as craveiro is considered as a calming agent in different local preparations. The present study attempted to examine antidepressant-like effect of dichloromethane fraction (DF) and role of monoamine oxidase (MAO), tryptophan, and tyrosine hydroxylase. Based on the research focus, tail suspension (TS), forced swimming (FS), and open field (OF) tests were conducted after oral administration of DF (125, 250, or 500 mg/Kg). Ex vivo assay of MAO was also conducted to evaluate inhibitory effect of DF (250 mg/Kg). Administration of DF elicits antidepressant-like response in the TS and FS. However, DF 500 mg/Kg did not alter mice performance in these models. The data obtained in the OF showed a reduction in total crossing and rearing activity; these effects suggest motor interference in TS and FS performance. Mice pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA) (100 mg/kg, i.p.—serotonin biosynthesis inhibitor) for 4 consecutive days or acute administration of α-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT) (100 mg/kg, i.p.—catecholamine synthesis inhibitor) blocked anti-immobility effect of DF in the FS. In ex vivo assay of MAO, DF did not inhibit catabolic activity of MAO. Our findings support antidepressant-like activity of DF and suggest an effect that depends on monoamine biosynthesis.

Role of brainstem serotonin in analgesia produced by low-intensity exercise on neuropathic pain after sciatic nerve injury in mice

“…PCPA or saline was administered once a day for 4 consecutive days before beginning the exercise program and again on days 11-14 postoperatively. Prior studies show that repeated application of PCPA results in reduction of 5-HT in the central nervous system [20, 55]. The current study confirmed decreases in 5-HT in the brainstem using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis (see below).…”

“…In order to investigate the involvement of the catecholaminergic system in the analgesic effect observed, we reduced NE and DA with AMPT, a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) inhibitor that is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines, delivered systemically as previously described [20, 55]. Interestingly, blockade of TH with AMPT (100 mg/kg, i.p.)…”

“…AMPT is a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) inhibitor that is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines and results in a functional reduction in NE and dopamine (DA) [20, 55]. Control animals received saline (NaCl 0.9%, 10 ml/kg, i.p.).…”

Plurality of anxiety and depression alteration mechanism by oleanolic acid

“…The resulting pellet was suspended in 1.5 mL homogenization buffer and recentrifuged at 12,500 × g and 4 o C for 15 min; the resulting pellets were resuspended in 1.0 mL homogenization buffer, stored under -20°C in aliquots and used as the source of MAO within 48 h. Total protein concentration was estimated using the method of Bradford (Bradford, 1976). The measurement of in vitro and ex vivo activity of MAO was conducted using a modified spectrophotometric method (Fajemiroye et al, 2013;Holt et al, 1997;Stafford et al, 2007).…”

Developmental toxicity evaluation of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum, (E)‐methyl isoeugenol chemotype, in Wistar rats

“…Studies using crude extracts or essential oils obtained from P. pseudocaryophyllus leaves showed a wide potential of pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial (Lima et al, ; Paula et al, ; Custódio et al, ; Fernandes et al, ; El Assal et al, ; Suzuki et al, ; Yokomizo and Nakaoka‐Sakita, ), anxiolytic, antidepressant (Fajemiroye et al, , ), antinociceptive, anti‐inflammatory (Paula et al, ), and antioxidant (Campanini et al, , ). Additionally, Ferrari et al () have recently shown the anti‐hyperuricemic effects of P. pseudocaryophyllus extracts from leaves and branches in hyperuricemic rats.…”