Exploring the Antidepressant effect of Aqueous-Alcoholic extract of purslane plant (Portulaca oleracea) on Asthma-induced depression in Mice:Insights from Open Field and Forced Swimming Tests
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https://doi.org/10.22034/pmj.2025.2048504.1048
Najmeh Khatun Dehnavi, Ali Neamati
Abstract Background and purpose: Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in which inflammation plays an essential role in its pathophysiology. One of the secondary effects of asthma is depression, which is probably due to overlapping pathogenic mechanisms. One of the important mechanisms in the treatment of depression and asthma is to pay attention to removing inflammation and reducing oxidative stress. Purslane exerts its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through NFqB and NOS pathways. This study aims to investigate the effect of the aqueous-alcoholic extract of the purslane plant on depression caused by experimental asthma using an Open Field Test and Forced Swimming Test in small laboratory mice.
Materials and methods: To investigate the aqueous-alcoholic extract of the purslane plant on depression caused by experimental asthma, 40 Syrian NMRI male mice were divided into 4 groups: control, asthmatic, and asthmatic receiving the extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Syrian mice were injected and inhaled ovalbumin to develop asthma, and the control group received PBS solution in the same way. The treated groups received the extract at the same time as asthma induction.
Results: The results show that depression symptoms increased significantly after asthma induction. These symptoms were significantly reduced after the administration of purslane extract in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicated a significant increase in depression in the asthmatic group samples compared to the control group and also a significant decrease in depression in the groups treated with purslane extract compared to the asthmatic group.

