Antidepressant-like Effect of the Leaf Extract of <i>Momordica foetida</i> Schumach. et Thonn. in Rodent Models of Depression

People living with depression develop treatment-resistant depression in which they do not respond to available medications or other therapeutic approaches. Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn. (Cucurbitaceae) is used in northern Ethiopia, to treat psychiatric disorders. The current study investigated the antidepressant-like effects of the 80% methanolic leaf extract of M. foetida using the rodent models tail suspension and forced swim tests. The effect of the hydroalcoholic extract on locomotor activity was also studied using the open-field test. Based on the results of acute toxicity test, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract were tested. In the tail suspension test, the extract as well as the positive control (imipramine 30 mg/kg) showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in immobility time compared to the control group at all doses. Duration of immobility observed in the forced swim test with the extract was not significantly different from the control group. By contrast, the positive control produced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in immobility compared to controls. However, no significant change in locomotion was observed in the open field test at these doses. Overall, the results obtained demonstrated that M. foetida extract possesses antidepressant activity in the tail suspension test, providing evidence, at least in part, for the traditional use of the plant for psychiatric disorders. However, further studies are required to validate its use.