Evaluation of the Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Activities of the Aqueous Extract fromCamellia euphlebiaMerr. ex Sealy in Mice

Abstract

Camellia euphlebiaMerr. ex Sealy is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used for improvement of human emotions in the Guangxi Province of southern China. However, there are no studies about the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities ofCamellia euphlebia. This study evaluated the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of the aqueous extract fromCamellia euphlebia(CEE) in mice. We found that administration of 400 mg/kg CEE or 20 mg/kg fluoxetine for 7 days significantly reduced the immobility time in both TST and FST. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg extract or 4 mg/kg diazepam for 7 days significantly increased the percentage of time spent and the number of entries into the open arms of the EPMT. In addition, the time spent by mice in the illuminated side of the LDBT was increased. Furthermore, pretreatment with 400 mg/kg CEE for 7 days significantly elevated the level of 5-HT and DA in the whole brain of mice. These results provide support for the potential anxiolytic and antidepressant activity ofCamellia euphlebiaand contribute towards validation of the traditional use ofCamellia euphlebiain the treatment of emotional disorders.