Planta Med 2024; 90(13): 1030-1039
DOI: 10.1055/a-2404-3294
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers

Psidium Exotic and Native Species from Brazil Abolish Depression-like Behavior and Oxidative Stress induced by Corticosterone in Mice

Ana Lúcia Bertarello Zeni
1   Laboratório de Avaliação de Substâncias Bioativas, Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
2   Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
,
Ana Paula Dalmagro
1   Laboratório de Avaliação de Substâncias Bioativas, Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
,
Lucas Henrique Junges
1   Laboratório de Avaliação de Substâncias Bioativas, Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
,
Natália Cavichioli
1   Laboratório de Avaliação de Substâncias Bioativas, Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
,
Otto Rodolfo Sasse
1   Laboratório de Avaliação de Substâncias Bioativas, Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
› Author Affiliations

This work was supported by grants from the Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB) and PIBIC-CNPq and PIBIC- FURB scholarships.
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Abstract

Depression is a highly prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder worldwide. One currently accepted hypothesis of this pathogenesis is the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysfunction, which involves oxidative stress and brain damage. Therefore, antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, could be used in depression. In this study, we investigated the antidepressant-like and antioxidant effects of an aqueous extract of the leaves of three species of the genus Psidium, Myrtaceae family, in mice. The exotic Psidium guajava L. and the natives Psidium guineense Sw. and Psidium cattleianum Sabine (10, 1, and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively) and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) were administered orally (p. o.) once daily for 21 days, with or without corticosterone (20 mg/kg). After behavioral assessments (tail suspension, splash, and open-field tests), the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, liver, kidneys, and plasma were examined to determine the oxidative stress status. The three extracts and fluoxetine treatment decreased the immobility time and counteracted the oxidative stress induced by corticosterone administration. The phenolic compounds identified as major components of the extracts, quercetin in P. guajava and P. guineense and o-coumaric acid in P. cattleianum, may be involved in the biological activities. Therefore, the aqueous leaf extracts of P. guajava, P. cattleianum, and P. guineense could be potential antidepressants helpful in treating depression and other diseases with elevated nitro-oxidative stress.

Supporting Information



Publication History

Received: 28 February 2024

Accepted after revision: 27 August 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
27 August 2024

Article published online:
18 September 2024

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