Antidepressant Effects of the Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Salvia mirzayanii and Salvia macrosiphon in Male Mice

As some species of the Salvia family have been shown to exert antidepressant-like activity, the aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Salvia mirzayanii and Salvia macrosiphon, two endemic species of salvia in Iran.

In total, 148 eight-week-old male albino mice (25 - 35 g) were used to carry out the forced swimming test. The effects of different doses of the aqueous (100 - 1800 mg/kg) and hydroalcoholic extracts (75 - 900 mg/kg) of Salvia mirzayanii and Salvia macrosiphon on immobility, climbing, and swimming behaviors were examined. Fluoxetine and imipramine were used as control drugs. The effects of extracts on locomotor activity were also evaluated.

High doses of the aqueous extracts of both plants and hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia mirzayanii produced a significant reduction in immobility and increase in swimming compared to the control group. The hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia macrosiphon did not show any significant effect on immobility and swimming. Only some doses of hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia mirzayanii and aqueous extract of Salvia macrosiphon showed a significant increase in climbing behavior. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extract of both plants caused a decrease in spontaneous activity.

The findings of this study indicated that the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Salvia mirzayanii and the aqueous extract of Salvia macrosiphon had antidepressant-like activity. In addition, the hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia mirzayanii and the aqueous extracts of Salvia macrosiphon were more effective fractions of these plants. These endemic Iranian Salvia species may have potential therapeutic effects for depression.