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Hydroalcoholic Extract of Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) Leaves Mitigates Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress
Verciane Schneider Cezarotto1,2, Luana Mota Ferreira1,3, Rafaela Pizzi Dal'Pupo2
1Departamento de Farmácia Industrial, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.
Chemistry & Biodiversity
|December 13, 2022
Summary
Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) leaf extract shows antidepressant-like effects in rodents. This natural compound reduced depressive behaviors without toxic effects, suggesting potential for mood disorder treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Ethnobotany
Background:
- Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) leaves possess known biological properties.
- Limited research exists on the hydroalcoholic extract of Vaccinium ashei Reade leaves for mood disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antidepressant-like effects of rabbiteye blueberry leaf hydroalcoholic extract (HEV) in rodent models.
- To assess the safety profile of HEV administration in rats.
Main Methods:
- An unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model was used to induce depressive-like behavior in rodents.
- Repeated oral administration of HEV (50 mg/kg) was assessed.
- Immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST) and relative organ weights were measured.
Main Results:
- Repeated HEV administration significantly reduced immobility time in the FST, indicating an antidepressant-like effect.
- HEV treatment did not alter relative organ weights in rats subjected to UCMS, suggesting a lack of toxicity.
- The hydroalcoholic extract of Vaccinium ashei Reade leaves demonstrated a favorable safety profile.
Conclusions:
- The hydroalcoholic extract of rabbiteye blueberry leaves (HEV) exhibits significant antidepressant-like activity.
- HEV appears to be a safe therapeutic agent, devoid of toxic effects in the tested model.
- Vaccinium ashei Reade leaf extract shows potential as a safe and accessible treatment for depression and related mood disorders.
