Antidepressant-like effects of the leaf extract of Mallotus oppositifolius (Geiseler) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) in the chronic unpredictable mild stress model: A role of the gut-brain axis.

The gut microbiota has been posited as a target for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Herein, we investigated the effect of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Mallotus oppositifolius (MOE) on the gut microbiota of mice and how this contributes to its known antidepressant-like effect. A 6-week chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was employed in 7 groups of mice to induce depression.

Increased Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Hippocampal Dendritic Spine Density Are Associated with the Rapid Antidepressant-like Effect of Iron-citalopram and Iron-Imipramine Combinations in Mice.

Iron supplementation previously demonstrated antidepressant-like effects in post-partum rats. The present study evaluates the possible synergistic antidepressant effect of sub-therapeutic dose of iron co-administered with citalopram or imipramine in female Institute of Cancer Research mice. Depression-like symptoms were induced in the forced swim (FST), tail suspension (TST), and open space swim (OSST) tests while open field test (OFT) was used to assess locomotor activity.

Extract of (Geiseler) Müll. Arg. increased prefrontal cortex dendritic spine density and serotonin and attenuated chlorophenylalanine-aggravated aggressive and depressive behaviors in mice.

Depression-related aggression is linked to serotonin (5-HT) and dendritic spine alterations. Although extract (MOE) has potential for reducing this effect, its specific role remains uncertain. Herein, we evaluated this potential and associated alterations in the brain.

Drug discovery research in Ghana, challenges, current efforts, and the way forward.

We have a long-term vision to develop drug discovery research capacity within Ghana, to tackle unmet medical needs in Ghana and the wider West African region. However, there are several issues and challenges that need to be overcome to enable this vision, including training, human resource, equipment, infrastructure, procurement, and logistics. We discuss these challenges from the context of Ghana in this review.

Extract of and its kaurene diterpene, xylopic acid, improve learning and memory in mice.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction, presenting as learning and memory impairment, is a common manifestation in many chronic diseases of the nervous system. Some of these diseases include depression, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. To date, few drugs or medicinal products have shown ability to improve learning and memory deficits.

Gestational iron supplementation reverses depressive-like behavior in post-partum Sprague Dawley rats: Evidence from behavioral and neurohistological studies.

Background: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects about 9-20% of women after child birth. Reports suggest that gestational iron deficiency can cause a deficit in behavioral, cognitive and affective functions and can precipitate depressive symptoms in mothers during the postpartum period. The present study examined the effect of iron supplementation on depressive behavior during postpartum period in a rat model.

Extract Depresses Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Chemically-Induced Seizures in the Rat Hippocampus.

Extracts of the tropical Cinderella plant are used traditionally to manage convulsive conditions in the West African sub-region. This study sought to determine the neuronal basis of the effectiveness of these plant extracts to suppress seizure activity. Using the hippocampal slice preparation from rats, the ability of the extract to depress excitatory synaptic transmission and seizure activity were investigated.

Ethanolic extract of Nymphaea lotus L. (Nymphaeaceae) leaves exhibits in vitro antioxidant, in vivo anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities on Jurkat and MCF-7 cancer cell lines.

Background: Nymphaea lotus L. (N. lotus) is an aquatic plant with anecdotal reports suggesting its use in the traditional management of cancer.

Ethnomedicinal survey and mutagenic studies of plants used in Accra metropolis, Ghana.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Majority of people living in Ghana and many other developing countries rely on traditional medicinal plants for their primary healthcare. These plants are used either alone or in combination to manage a wide range of ailments. However, most of these plants have not been investigated for their mutagenic effects.

Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Mental and Neurological Disorders in Ghana.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mental and neurological disorders are a serious public health challenge globally, particularly in developing countries where cultural factors and limited access to standard healthcare have led to a reliance on traditional medicines. However, ethnopharmacological characterization of traditional medicines used to treat these diseases is lacking. In this study, an ethnobotanical description of plant species used in treating mental and neurological disorders in Ghana and an update of their experimentally validated pharmacological relevance are provided.

Antidepressant Potentials of Components from (Thonn.) J.J. de Wilde in Murine Models.

is a common medicinal plant used traditionally in treating central nervous system conditions such as epilepsy, depression, pain, and psychosis. In this study, the antidepressant-like effect of crude extracts of the stem bark of was investigated using two classical murine models, forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). The extracts, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and hydroethanolic extracts (30-300 mg/kg, ), standard drug (imipramine; fluoxetine, 3-30 mg/kg, ), and saline (vehicle) were given to mice one hour prior to the acute study.

An extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn exhibits antidepressant properties through monoaminergic mechanisms.

Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) has been used traditionally for many neurological conditions and some of these neuroactive effects have been scientifically substantiated. The usefulness of SNE in depression has however not been investigated despite the availability of data in other disease models indicating it may be useful. The present study therefore examined the effect of SNE in acute murine models of depression and the possible mechanisms mediating its activities in these models.

Psychotropic Effects of an Alcoholic Extract from the Leaves of (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae).

Background: is used in Ghanaian traditional medicine for the management of mental disorders. The present study tested the hypothesis that an extract of the leaves of (AZE) may possess antipsychotic and antidepressant properties.

Method: The novelty- and apomorphine-induced locomotor and rearing behaviours of AZE in mice were explored in an open-field observational test system.

Extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn exhibits antipsychotic properties in murine models of psychosis.

Background: The hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) has demonstrated anticonvulsant, sedative and analgesic effects. Preliminary studies conducted in animals, SNE significantly decreased stereotypic behaviours suggesting antipsychotic potential. Coupled with the central nervous system depressant effects of SNE, we hypothesized that it may have utility in the management of psychosis.

An ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens exhibits antipsychotic-like activity in mice.

Background: Desmodium adscendens extract (DAE) is used traditionally in Ghana for the management of psychosis. The present study aimed at providing pharmacological evidence for its ethnomedical use by testing the hypothesis that an ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens may possess antipsychotic properties.

Methods: The primary behavioral effects of DAE on the central nervous system of mice were investigated using Irwin's test paradigm.

Analgesic effects of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats.

Background: Synedrella nodiflora is used by traditional healers in Ghana for the management of epilepsy and pain. The hydro-ethanolic extract of the whole plant has demonstrated antinociceptive effect in various animal models of pain. This study investigated the potential benefit of the hydro-ethanolic extract in a rat model of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

Long-term continuous administration of a hydro-ethanolic extract of (L) Gaertn in male Sprague-Dawley rats: biochemical, haematological and histopathological changes.

Background: Conflicting reports about the toxicity of (L) Gaertn (family Asteraceae), a plant traditionally used in Ghana for the management of epilepsy, abound in literature. The present study evaluates the effect of a 90-day continuous oral administration of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of (SNE) in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods: The toxicological evaluation of the extract (100, 300 and 1000 mgkg) was focused on haematological, serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes of some isolated organs.

Ethnomedicinal survey and in vitro anti-plasmodial activity of the palm Borassus aethiopum Mart.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Malaria remains a major global health threat, with the heaviest burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Effective treatment is not available in many affected areas, and the Plasmodium falciparum parasite is becoming resistant to existing drugs. Alternative therapies are necessary to overcome these challenges.

Antibacterial and antispasmodic activities of a dichloromethane fraction of an ethanol extract of stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum.

Objectives: This study presents the antispasmodic and antibacterial properties of an ethanol extract and fractions the of stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum.

Materials And Methods: The antispasmodic effects of the extract and its fractions were performed on isolated rabbit duodenum. The antibacterial properties were determined as minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of the extract and fractions of P.

A hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn ameliorates hyperalgesia and allodynia in vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in rats.

Background: The hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn whole plant has demonstrated analgesic effects in acute pain models. The extract has also demonstrated anticonvulsant effects in murine models of experimental epilepsy.

Anticonvulsant and related neuropharmacological effects of the whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn (Asteraceae).

Purpose: The plant Synedrella nodiflora (L) Gaertn is traditionally used by some Ghanaian communities to treat epilepsy. To determine if this use has merit, we studied the anticonvulsant and other neuropharmacological effects of a hydro-ethanolic extract of the whole plant using murine models.

Materials And Methods: The anticonvulsant effect of the extract (10-1000 mg/kg) was tested on the pentylenetetrazole-, picrotoxin-, and pilocarpine-induced seizure models and PTZ-kindling in mice/rats.