Antidepressant‑Like Effects of Methanol Extract and Fractions of Hypericum juniperinum Kunth in the Forced Swimming Test

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant‑like effects of a methanol extract, as well as ethyl acetate and butanol fractions, obtained from aerial parts of Hypericum juniperinum K. Materials and Methods: Behavioral and locomotor activities were evaluated in the open field test (OFT). Antidepressant‑like activity was measured in the forced swimming test (FST) in male Swiss albino mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening as well as a high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile of the active fractions of H. juniperinum was performed. Results: Treatment with the methanol extract at 500 mg/kg and the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions at 150 and 300 mg/kg resulted in a decrease in the immobility times in FST. In the OFT, none of the treatments presented altered behavior or locomotor activity of mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening identified terpenes/steroids, flavonoids, phenol derivatives, tannins, and saponins. In the HPLC analysis of the fractions, rutin, quercitrin, and quercetin were identified with the help of coinjection of standards. Conclusion: This is the first report of the antidepressant‑like activity of extracts and fractions obtained from H. juniperinum in the FST model of depression. Flavonoids may be responsible for the antidepressant‑like action of H. juniperinum.