Investigação do potencial ansiolítico e antidepressivo do extrato aquoso de Sonchus Oleraceus L. em camundongos C57BL/6

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are multifactorial mental disorders that exhibit different symptomologies. Despite significant pharmacological development for treating these conditions, they remain classified as the leading causes of global burden, with their prevalences continuing to rise since the 1990s. Sonchus Oleraceus is an unconventional vegetable that contains chemical properties possibly capable of promoting neurological and behavioral regulation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the aqueous extract of Sonchus Oleraceus on the behavioral parameters of C57BL/6 mice. The animals were divided into four experimental groups (n 7-10), namely: Control Group - received 0.9% physiological saline solution (vehicle) orally by gavage (VO) and a topical placebo (VT); Hydroquinone Group (HDQ) - received the vehicle by VO gavage and HDQ by VT; Hydroquinone + Clonazepam Group (HDQ + CNZ) - received clonazepam at a dose of 0.5mg/kg body weight by VO gavage and HDQ by VT; Hydroquinone + Sonchus Oleraceus - aqueous extract (SoEA) Group - received the extract by VO gavage at a concentration of 0.312mg/kg body weight and HDQ by VT. Stress and behavioral changes in the animals were induced by topically applying HDQ at concentrations of 2.5% and 5%. The animals underwent light/dark transition (LDT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests at three time points during the experimental period. The results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Sonchus Oleraceus at a concentration of 0.312mg/kg promoted improvement in animal behavior.