Anticonvulsant and antidepressant effect of the ethanolic extract of Annona reticulata leaves in rat

Abstract

Depression, anxiety and epilepsy are conditions of the Central Nervous System (CNS) that cause suffering and morbidity among the Mexican population. Although there are drugs for their therapy, sometimes they are ineffective and promote adverse effects that lead to lack of attachment by the patient. Species of the Annona genus are used in traditional Mexican medicine for their CNS depressant properties, of which their properties as anxiolytic-sedatives and anticonvulsants have already been reported, in addition to their properties as anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The objective of this study was to determine the possible depressant effects in the CNS of the Annona reticulata (A. reticulata) species on experimental rodent models. Materials and methods: A. reticulata was used prepared as an ethanolic extract to evaluate its effects as an antidepressant in the forced swim test and as an anticonvulsant in the test of convulsive seizures induced with pentylenetetrazole in rats, its effect was also tested as an anxiolytic in the marble burial test. Imipramine, sodium valproate and diazepam were used as reference drugs, respectively. Results: A. reticulata reduced depressive behavior, also increased latency and decreased the severity of seizures, and decreased the anxiety response of mice. Conclusion: This study gives preclinical evidence of the antidepressant, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties of A. reticulata leaves, reinforcing their potential in the search for alternatives to CNS conditions.