The effects of Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E. Br. extract fraction in the chick anxiety-depression model

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E. Br. has been reported to elevate mood, reduce anxiety and stress and alleviate pain.Aim of studyThis study sought to examine the effects of an S. tortuosum alkaloid enriched fraction in the chick anxiety-depression model, a model that shows high predictive validity as a pharmacological screening assay.Material and methodsSocially-raised male Silver Laced Wyandotte chicks (4–6 days old) were given IP vehicle, imipramine (10 mg/kg), or S. tortuosum fraction (10, 20, 30 mg/kg in Exp. 1 or 50, 75, 100 mg/kg in Exp. 2) 15 min prior to a 60 min isolation test period in which distress vocalizations (DVoc) were continuously recorded.ResultsVehicle chicks displayed high DVoc rates in the anxiety phase (first 3 min). DVoc rates declined about 50% (i.e., behavioral despair) in the depression phase (30–60 min). S. tortuosum fraction at 75 and 100 mg/kg decreased DVoc rates during the anxiety phase indicative of an anxiolytic effect. Imipramine, but not S. tortuosum groups, increased DVoc rates in the depression phase indicative of an antidepressant effect.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that an alkaloid enriched S. tortuosum fraction may benefit some forms of stress-related disorders.

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