Antidepressant and anxiolytic-like activities of the dichloromethane/methanol extract of Crateva adansonii in mice exposed to chronic mild stress

Crateva adansonii (CA) is traditionally used in the treatment of epilepsy and memory loss. This work aims to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of the dichloromethane/methanol extract of CA trunk bark in a chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression (UCMS) model in mice. After exposure of mice to UCMS for 42 days, anhedonia was assessed using the sucrose preference test, antidepressant effects by the forced swim and caudal suspension tests, anxiolytic effects by the light/dark compartment (LDB) and open arena (OF) tests. Oxidative stress parameters Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Reduced Glutathione (GSH) were assessed. The results showed that multiple administrations of C. adansonii extract (150 and 300 mg/kg, resulted in a significant increase from 38.5% to 64.9% (p<0.001) in sucrose intake and a decrease from 47 seconds to 14 seconds in the immobility time in the forced swim test compared to the UCMS group. The extract significantly (p<0.001) reversed the time spent in the dark box at 150 mg/kg, and the number of groomings at 150 and 300 mg/kg compared to the UCMS group in the LDB and OF test. There was also a significant (p<0.001) improvement in SOD, GSH, and a reversal of MDA. The extract of CA improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in mice treated with different dose. The effects observed would be due to the presence in the extract of polyphenols such as flavonoids. These effects would justify the use of this extract in traditional medicine.