Neuroprotective effect of Clerodendrum serratum Linn. leaves extract against acute restraint stress-induced depressive-like behavioral symptoms in adult mice

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to study the effect of ethanol extract of Clerodendrum serratum (EECS) Linn. on acute restraint stress (ARS)-induced depressive-like behavior and biochemical alterations in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of EECS were analytically characterized for the flavonoid components, apigenin (API) and luteolin (LUT) by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Behavioral tests, namely, forced-swim test and tail-suspension test were performed for assessing antidepressant-like effect and anxiolytic activity in mice. Oxidative stress parameters and biochemical alterations in mice brain tissue were also performed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Expression of data was done as mean ± standard error of mean. The normally distributed data were subjected to two-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study showed that flavonoids, API and LUT were present in ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of EECS, which significantly reversed ARS-induced depressive-like behavior without affecting locomotion. EECS also attenuated oxidative damage caused by ARS. The level of norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine was also significantly restored by pretreatment with EECS for 7 days. CONCLUSION: EECS significantly alleviated ARS-induced depressive-like behavior without affecting locomotion.