Drug Res (Stuttg) 2014; 64(3): 146-150
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1354366
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antidepressant-like Property of Jobelyn®, an African Unique Herbal Formulation, in Mice

S. Umukoro
1   Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
,
A. T. Eduviere
1   Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
,
A. C. Aladeokin
2   Department of Pharmacology, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
,
A. S. Olugbemide
2   Department of Pharmacology, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 26 June 2013

accepted 06 August 2013

Publication Date:
03 September 2013 (online)

Abstract

Objectives:

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate whether Jobelyn® (JB) possesses anti-depressant-like property in the mouse forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and yohimbine-induced lethality test (YLT) in aggregated mice.

Methods:

Mice were given JB (10–100 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 7 days and then subjected to FST, TST, YLT and open field test. The parameters assessed in both FST and TST were the time (s) spent in active movement (struggling time), first occurrence of immobility (s) and the duration of immobility (s). In the YLT, the mortality rate was recorded 24 h after yohimbine (35 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. In the open field test, the number of line crosses and total distance travelled (m) were measured for 10 min in the open field chamber.

Results:

JB significantly (p<0.05) decrease the duration of immobility both in the FST and TST, which suggests antidepressant-like property. JB significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the time spent in active swimming and delayed the first occurrence of immobility, indicating endurance promoting effect. It potentiated the toxic effect of yohimbine, which further suggests antidepressant-like activity and facilitation of both serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmissions. However, JB did not significantly increase the locomotor activity in the open-field test.

Conclusions:

Jobelyn® has antidepressant-like activity, which may be related to the stimulation of serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways. The ability of Jobelyn® to delay the onset of immobility and to prolong the struggling time support its use as energizer in general body weakness or exhaustion.

 
  • References

  • 1 Okochi VI, Okpuzor J, Okubena MO et al. The influence of African Herbal Formula on the haematological parameters of trypanosome infected rats. African Journal of Biotechnology 2003; 2: 312-316
  • 2 Erah PO, Asonye CC, Okhamafe AO. Response of Trypanosoma brucei brucei – induced anaemia to a commercial herbal preparation. African Journal of Biotechnology 2003; 2: 307-311
  • 3 Oshikoya KA, Senbanjo IO, Njokanma OF et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicines for children with chronic health conditions – in Lagos, Nigeria. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2008; 8: 66
  • 4 Awika JM, Rooney LW. Sorghum phytochemicals and their potential impact on human health. Phytochemistry 2004; 65: 1199-1221
  • 5 Yi LT, Li CF, Zhan X et al. Involvement of monoaminergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of the flavonoid naringenin in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010; 34: 1223-1228
  • 6 Olsen HT, Stafford GI, Standen JV et al. Isolation of the MAO-inhibitor naringenin from Mentha aquata L. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2008; 117: 500-502
  • 7 Heo HJ, Kim M, Lee J et al. Naringenin from Citrus junos has an inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase and a mitigating effect on amnesia. Dementia and Geratric Cognitive Disorders 2004; 17: 151-157
  • 8 Baars MY, Müller MJ, Gallhofer B et al. Depressive and Aggressive Responses to Frustration: Development of a Questionnaire and Its Validation in a Sample of Male Alcoholics. Depression Research and Treatment 2011; 2011: 1-19
  • 9 VanPraag HM. “Anxiety/aggression-driven depression”. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2001; 25: 893-924
  • 10 Åsberg M, Träskman L, Thoren P. “5 HIAA in the cerebrospinal fluid. A biochemical suicide predictor?”. Archives of General Psychiatry 1976; 33: 1193-1197
  • 11 Taki M, Tam FW. Bullying among girls in Japan and Hong Kong: An examination of the frustration-aggression model. Educational Research and Evaluation 2007; 13: 373-399
  • 12 Roche M, Commons KG, Peoples A et al. Circuitry underlying regulation of the serotonergic system by swim stress. J Neurosci 2003; 23: 970-977
  • 13 Porsolt RD, Anton G, Deniel M et al. Behavioral despair in rats: a new animal model sensitive to antidepressant treatments. Eur J Pharmacol 1978; 47: 379-391
  • 14 Steru L, Chermat R, Thierry B et al. The tail suspension test: a new method for screening antidepressants in mice. Psychopharmacology 1985; 85: 367-370
  • 15 Cryan JP, Mombereau C, Vassout A. The tail suspension test as a model for assessing antidepressant activity: review of pharmacological and genetic studies in mice. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2005; 29: 571-625
  • 16 Zomkowski AD, Santos AR, Rodrigues AL. Putrescine produces antidepressant-like effects in the forced swimming test and in the tail suspension test in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2006; 30: 1419-1425
  • 17 Malick JB. Potentiation of yohimbine-induced lethality in mice: predictor of antidepressant potential. Drug Dev Res 1983; 3: 357-363
  • 18 Sherman AD, Sacquitne JL, Petty F. Specificity of the learned helplessness model of depression. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1982; 16: 449-454
  • 19 Subarnas A, Tadano T, Nakahata N et al. A possible mechanism of antidepressant activity of beta-amyrin palmitate isolated from Lobelia inflata leaves in the forced swimming test. Life Sciences 1993; 52: 289-296
  • 20 Blair RJR. “Psychopathy, frustration, and reactive aggression: the role of ventromedial prefrontal cortex”. British Journal of Psychology 2010; 101: 383-399
  • 21 Anguelova M, Benkelfat C, Turecki G. A systematic review of association studies investigating genes coding for serotonin receptors and the serotonin transporter: II. Suicidal behavior. Mol Psychiatry 2003; 8: 646-653
  • 22 Van Praag HM. Serotonin-related, anxiety/aggression-driven, stressor-precipitated depression. A psycho-biological hypothesis. European Psychiatry 1996; 11: 57-67
  • 23 Hajos KE, Mctavish SF, Sharp T. Effect of a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine reuptake inhibitor on brain extracellular noradrenaline: microdialysis studies using paroxetine. Eur J Pharmacol 2000; 407: 101-107
  • 24 Adell A, Castro E, Celada P et al. Strategies for producing faster acting antidepressants. Drug Discov Today 2005; 10: 578-585
  • 25 Kirby LG, Lucki I. Interaction between the forced swimming test and fluoxetine treatment on extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the Rat. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1997; 282: 967-976
  • 26 Papeschi R, Sourkes TL, Youdim MBH. The effect of yohimbine on brain serotonin metabolism, motor behavior and body temperature of the rat. Eur J Pharmacol 1971; 15: 318-326
  • 27 Söderpalm A, Blomqvist O, Söderpalm B. The yohimbine-induced anticonflict effect in the rat. I: Involvement of noradrenergic, serotonergic and endozepinergic(?) mechanisms. Eur J Pharmacol 1971; 15: 318-326
  • 28 Quinton RM. The increase in the toxicity of yohimbine induced by imipramine and other drugs in mice. Br J Pharmacol Chemother 1963; 21: 51-66
  • 29 Goldberg MR, Robertson D. Yohimbine: a pharmacological probe for study of the α2-adrenoceptor. Pharmacol Rev 1983; 35: 143-180
  • 30 Siqueira IR, Lara FS, Silva DR et al. Psychopharmacological properties of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham (Olacacaeae). Pharm Biol 1998; 36: 327-334