Assessment of the antidepressant effect of Rosa Canina L. petal extracts in mice by forced swimming stress model

Introduction: Rosa Damasca essential oil is currently used as anti-depressant in animal models and human. Considering the similarities between Rosa Canina and Rosa Damasca, the effects of water and alcoholic extracts of R. Canina on depression induced by forced swimming test (FST) in mice were investigated. Methods: Male NMRI mice (25-30 g) were used (n=6/group). Intraperitoneal injections of alcoholic (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg) and/or water (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) extracts were administered to the animals 30 min before the FS. Intracerebroventricular injections of the alcoholic and water extracts (1, 5 and 10 μg/mice) to the animals were performed 5 min before FST. Results: Both intraperitoneal (20 and 30 mg/kg) and intracerebroventricular (5, 10 μg/Mouse) injections of R. Canina L. water extract dose-dependently reduced the animals immobilization, which was similar to the fluoxetine effect. However, the alcoholic extract of R. Canina L. did not change the immobility time in the animals when used intraperitoneally and intracerebroventricularly. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the water extract of R.Canina can inhibit depression induced by FST in mice. Since there are some components in the extract that can interact with D2 dopamine receptors in the brain, it is likely that the extract induced its antidepressant effects via such mechanism.