The Impact of Kolaviron (A Bioflavonoid of Garcinia Kola Seed) On Depression Status in Laboratory Rodents: Roles of Monoaminergic Systems

Garcinia kola seed is taken as a stimulant by the elderly people and traditionalists. Kolaviron is a biflavonoid from the seeds of Garcinia kola, and reports have shown that it may be the active principle for the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and psychoactive activities of Garcinia kola. Moreover, the aqueous extract of the seeds has shown an anxiolytic-like effect. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of kolaviron and probable mechanism(s) of action in laboratory rodents. The antidepressant-like effect of kolaviron (50 ? 200mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated using the Forced Swimming Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) in mice. Mice were pre-treated with prazosin (an a1-adrenoceptor antagonist), metergoline (5-HT2 receptor antagonist), and atropine (muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) before kolaviron (100 mg/kg p.o.) was administered, to evaluate the mechanisms involved in its antidepressant-like activity using the TST. The results suggest that kolaviron possesses an antidepressant-like effect involving interactions with a1-adrenoceptor, 5-HT2 receptor and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR).