Phytochemical Analysis and Exploration of the Anti-Amnesic and Anti-Depressive Potentials of Avena fatua Crude Extract and Its Fractions in Animal Model

Abstract

Background: Avena fatua contains several bioactive phytochemicals, but its anti-amnesic and anti-depressant potentials remain insufficiently characterized. Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical profile and anti-amnesic and anti-depressant effects of Avena fatua crude methanolic extract and its chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions in mice. Methods: This experimental animal study used BALB/c mice. The crude extract was prepared by methanolic maceration and fractionated into chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions. HPLC and GC–MS were used for phytochemical characterization. Acute toxicity was assessed up to 2000 mg/kg. Anti-amnesic activity was evaluated using the Y-maze and novel object recognition test, together with brain AChE, ACh, SOD, CAT, and GSH estimation. Anti-depressant activity was assessed using the tail suspension and forced swim tests. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, with Dunnett’s multiple-comparison test applied for anti-depressant activity. Results: No mortality was observed up to 2000 mg/kg. HPLC detected phloroglucinol, hydroxybenzoic acid, and ascorbic acid, while GC–MS identified 18 constituents. Chl-AF at 150 mg/kg produced spontaneous alternation of 71.49% compared with 37.04% in the amnesic control and a recognition index of 62.04% compared with 32.94%. Treatment groups also showed lower AChE and higher ACh, SOD, CAT, and GSH values than the amnesic group. Chl-AF at 150 mg/kg produced TST and FST immobility times of 89.56 and 112.28 seconds, respectively. Conclusion: Avena fatua crude extract and its fractions demonstrated preliminary anti-amnesic and anti-depressant activity in mice, accompanied by favorable cholinergic and antioxidant changes