Investigating the Antidepressant Impact of Ethanolic Extract of Melilotus officinalis Fruit in Mouse Models

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Melilotus officinalis (M. officinalis) has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and anticonvulsant activities. Considering the above, the current study aimed to investigate the antidepressant impact of ethanolic extract of M. officinalis fruit in mouse models. In the current study, the acute toxicity of the ethanolic extract of M. officinalis was investigated by the Loreck method. Adult male mice were treated with fluoxetine, normal saline, or ethanolic extract of M. officinalis, and then Forced swim and Tail suspension tests were performed on them. The locomotor activity of mice was also investigated in the open-field test. The findings showed that the median lethal dose of M. officinalis extract was more than 5000 mg/kg. Intraperitoneal administration of this extract (except for the dose of 25 mg/kg in the Forced swim test) decreased the time of immobility in all groups in the Tail suspension and Forced swim test. This extract also enhanced the time of swimming without significant changes in the climbing time in the Forced swim test. The locomotor activity of rats in the open field test was not affected by the ethanolic extract of M. officinalis. The findings of this study show that M. officinalis is a non-toxic plant and has an antidepressant impact similar to fluoxetine. Thus, this plant has a therapeutic effect on depression. However, further studies are essential to investigate the exact mechanism of antidepressant impacts and the absence of adverse effects in chronic administration.