OBJECTIVETo explore the synergistic antidepressant effect of quercetin and hyperforin (HF, extracted from Hypericum perforatum).

METHODSMale ICR mice were divided into nine groups:blank control, positive control (Paroxetine, 10 mg/kg), quercetin groups (A: 5 mg/kg, B: 10 mg/kg, C: 20 mg/kg), Hypericum perforatum extract (HF 10 mg/kg),combination groups (A: quercetin 2.5 mg/kg + HF 5 mg/kg,B:quercetin 5 mg/kg + HF 5 mg/kg,C: quercetin 10 mg/kg + HF 5 mg/kg). All drugs were administered intragastrically. Reserpine reversal tests were used to compare the reversal effects of drugs on body temperature decline, eyelid ptosis and akinesia. Tail suspension test was used to compare immobility time in each group.

RESULTSCombination group B showed no significant difference (P>0.05) compared with combination group C in reserpine reversal tests and tail suspension test. However, its body temperature reversal effect was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of quercetin group B, and its effect in shortening immobility time was stronger than that of HF 10 mg/kg group (P<0.05) and quercetin group B (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of quercetin and Hypericum perforatum extract in certain ratio has significant synergistic antidepressant effect in ICR mice.

Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Depression ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Quercetin ; pharmacology