Evaluation of the Antidepressant‑like Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Crataegus aronia

Background: Crataegus aronia L. Syn: Azarolus (C. aronia) is a hawthorn species and a perennial bush native to Mediterranean regions. It is recognized for its high polyphenol content and potent antioxidant effects. Research was conducted to test the antidepressant activities of an aqueous extract of C. aronia in a chronic, unpredictable, mild stress‑induced rat model. Materials and Methods: Thirty‑two adult Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: A control group (no stress and no treatment), stress‑model group (stress and no treatment), fluoxetine‑treated stress group (stress and fluoxetine treatment), and C. aronia‑treated stress group (stress and C. aronia treatment). Urine samples were collected at 0, 21, 36, and 51 days. Enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to assess serotonin, norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) levels. Results: There was a decrease in serotonin levels 3 weeks after stress exposure, but urinary NE and DA levels increased. C. aronia significantly (P < 0.001) reversed the depressive‑like symptoms in the rats according to the increased urinary levels of serotonin. Moreover, C. aronia also reduced urinary levels of urinary NE and DA. The neuromodulatory effects of C. aronia were comparable to that of fluoxetine. Conclusion: With its active ingredients of anthocyanins and procyanidins, C. aronia exhibits significant antidepressant‑like activity in validated stressed rats, which may be related to its neuromodulatory effects on central monoamines.