Assessment of Antidepressant Activity of Stem of Jasminum multiflorum Andrews and Jasminum mesnyi Hance by Modulating Neurochemicals and Reducing Oxidative Stress

Background: Depression is a prominent psychiatric condition that needs efficient management through various therapeutic approaches. The genus Jasminum has a diverse array of attractive shrubs that are classified under the Oleaceae family and distributed throughout India. Jasmine plants have been extensively employed in the fragrance business to produce fragrances, oils, and lotions. Moreover, these substances have been conventionally employed in managing wounds, cancer, inflammation, urolithiasis, cardiac disease, stress, rheumatism, and other medical conditions. The present study assessed the possible antidepressant properties of two plant species, namely Jasminum multiflorum (J. multiflorum) Andrews and Jasminum mesnyi (J. mesnyi) Hance, members of the Oleaceae family. Methods: The stems of J. multiflorum and J. mesnyi were subjected to successive extraction methods involving petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, and water. The initial inquiries into the quality of the medicine led to the assessment of the antidepressant properties of each subsequent extract. This evaluation was conducted on Swiss albino mice using the Force swim test and Tail suspension test, with four different doses administered orally (150, 300, 450, and 600 mg/kg body weight). The present study evaluated and assessed two distinct extracts, namely the ethanolic extract and the aqueous extract, obtained from each plant. The objective was to investigate and analyse their potential antidepressant action. This was accomplished by utilising two specific tests conducted on mice: the 5-hydroxy tryptamine-induced head twitches test and the tetrabenazine antagonism test. The potential antidepressant effects of each species' most active ethanolic extract were evaluated using the chronic unpredicted mild stress method. Following the chronic unpredictable mild stress test, biochemical parameters (including Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, and Reduced glutathione) were assessed in both species. Results: The findings from the inquiry indicate that the administration of an ethanolic extract derived from J. mesnyi and J. multiflorum demonstrates a positive effect on the modified behaviour observed in mice. Specifically, it (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) reduces head twitching in the 5-hydroxy tryptamine-produced Head twitch test and alleviates symptoms of ptosis and catalepsy in depressed mice through tetrabenazine antagonism. The group treated with the ethanolic extract of J. mesnyi and J. multiflorum exhibited (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) decrease in immobility time compared to the negative control group. Furthermore, the administration of an ethanolic extract derived from J. mesnyi has been shown to improve (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) the disrupted oxidative stress levels in the brain tissue of mice suffering from depression generated by persistent unpredicted mild stress. Conclusion: The study's findings indicate that the administration of ethanolic extract derived from J. mesnyi and J. multiflorum positively affects the behavioral alterations and neurochemical balance in a mouse model of depression generated by prolonged unpredicted mild stress. This effect is achieved through the reduction of oxidative stress