Antidepressant-like effects of the aqueous lyophilizate of the stems and leaves of Momordica foetida (Cucurbitaceae) in rats

<i>M. foetida</i> (Cucurbitaceae) is a perennial climbing herb, known in traditional medicine for the treatment of certain diseases, such as malaria, headaches, skin-related problems and many others. The objective of this work was to evaluate the antidepressant effect of the aqueous lyophilisate of the mixture of leaves and stem of <i>M. foetida</i>. The antidepressant effect of the aqueous lyophilisate of <i>M. foetida</i> at different doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg) was evaluated in Wistar rats of both sexes submitted to chronic restriction for 14 days, using the forced swimming test, open field test and sucrose preference test. One hour following the last behavioural test, animals were sacrificed and their hippocampi were collected for biochemical assessment of oxidative parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced Glutathione (GSH), Catalase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) as well as monoamines levels including serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. The aqueous lyophilisate of <i>M. foetida</i> significantly decreased the immobility time and significantly increased sucrose consumption (P < 0.001), with no alteration of locomotor activity. The aqueous lyophilisate of <i>M. foetida</i> significantly increased the concentrations of GSH, SOD, as well as catalase activity, while reducing the concentrations of MDA and NO at all doses (P < 0.001). <i>M. foetida</i> at the doses 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg significantly increased the concentration of serotonin and dopamine. Only the dose 75 mg/kg significantly increased the concentration of noradrenaline (p < 0.001). These results suggest that <i>M. foetida</i> exerts antidepressant-like effects through the modulation of oxidative stress and monoaminergic pathways.