Antidepressant-like effect of ethanol extract of Salvia fruticosa leaves (Labiatae) in a mouse model of depression; Role for 5-HT2receptors

Salvia fruticosa L. (Labiatae) is a well-known plant for its medicinal values in several medical disorders. In the present study, S. fruticosa, at the i.p. doses 125 and 250 mg/kg, showed significant antidepressant effect against both forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) induced immobility behave in mice, with a maximum protective values, respectively, of (FST; 51.9% and 72.3% decrease; P<0.001; TST; 36.8% and 45.4% decrease, P<0.05). In addition, in FST, S. fruticosa significantly increased active swimming by 75.1% (P<0.001) compared with fluoxetine value of 66.7%, but produced no significant changes in climbing tries against a cylinder walls. The extract also showed insignificant effect on locomotor activity of mice. Moreover, the antidepressant effect of S. fruticosa, in TST, was significantly abrogated in mice pretreated with cyproheptadine (3mg/kg, i.p), indicating a role for 5HT2 receptors in this protective effect. Phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of saponin, steroids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. These findings demonstrate that S. fruticosa ethanol extract has a potential antidepressant-like effect that seems to be mediated by serotonergic system, via stimulation of 5HT2 receptors, as well as providing a scientific evidence for its use in folk medicine.