New antidepressant drug candidate: Hypericum montbretti extract

Nat Prod Res. 2011 Sep;25(15):1469-72. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2011.557800. Epub 2011 Jul 11.

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate possible antidepressant-like effects of the extract prepared from the flowers of Hypericum montbretti Spach. (Guttiferae, Clusiaceae). Phytochemical constituents of the methanolic extract were analysed by HPLC method. The main flavonoid component was detected as rutin, and another highly concentrated phenolic compound was quercitrin. Antidepressant activity of the extract was examined by tail suspension and modified forced swimming tests, whereas the motor coordination of the animals was tested by the Rota-Rod apparatus. Reboxetine at a dose of 20 mg kg⁻¹ was used as a reference drug. Dose-dependent antidepressant activity was observed in both tests following the administration of extract at 100 and 250 mg kg⁻¹ doses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the antidepressant activity of H. montbretti extract. Additionally, the results of this work support previous papers reporting the antidepressant activity of rutin.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hypericum / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rotarod Performance Test
  • Swimming

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Plant Extracts