Effect of ethanol Adiantum capillus-veneris extract in experimental models of anxiety and depression

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with a prevalence of 15%-25%. Monoamine aminotransferases, in particular, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, change in the brain of depressed people. Adiantum capillus-veneris is one of the species of the maidenhair fern genus that have traditionally been used to treat cough, cold symptoms, and local hair loss.In this experimental study, white male rats weighing 250-300 g were assigned to 5 groups of 10 each; group 1: Receiving normal saline; groups 2-4: Receiving A.capillus-veneris extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively; and group 5: Receiving fluoxetine at 10 mg/kg. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) was induced by 3-week exposure to chronic stress. The forced swim test and plus maze were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant capacity in the serum and brain were measured. Treatment with A.capillus-veneris extract at 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the duration of immobility. In the group given extract at 200 mg/kg, a significant increase in the number of open arm entries was observed when compared to the control group. A.capillus-veneris extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in the time spent in the open arm. A.capillus-veneris extract reduced MDA levels and increased antioxidant levels of serum and brain in rat. A.capillus-veneris has significant antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects in rat, probably due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

抑郁症是最常见的精神障碍之一，患病率达15%~25%。单胺氨基转移酶，尤其是去甲肾上腺素、5-羟色胺与多巴胺，在抑郁症患者的大脑中会发生异常变化。铁线蕨（Adiantum capillus-veneris）是铁线蕨属的常见物种之一，传统上被用于治疗咳嗽、感冒症状及局部脱发。本实验选取体重250~300g的雄性白化大鼠，随机分为5组，每组10只：第1组给予生理盐水；第2~4组分别给予50、100、200mg/kg的铁线蕨提取物；第5组给予10mg/kg的氟西汀。采用3周慢性不可预知应激（chronic unpredictable stress, CUS）造模。分别采用强迫游泳实验与高架十字迷宫实验评估大鼠的抑郁与焦虑样行为。检测血清与脑组织中的丙二醛（Malondialdehyde, MDA）水平及抗氧化能力。200mg/kg剂量的铁线蕨提取物可显著缩短大鼠的不动时长。与对照组相比，200mg/kg提取物组的开放臂进入次数显著增加。50、100及200mg/kg剂量的铁线蕨提取物均可显著延长大鼠在开放臂的停留时间。铁线蕨提取物可降低大鼠血清与脑组织中的MDA水平，并提升其抗氧化能力。铁线蕨在大鼠模型中展现出显著的抗抑郁与抗焦虑作用，其机制可能与其抗氧化及抗炎活性相关。