Adaptogenic-Like Potential of Bauhinia forficata Leaf Extracts: Behavioral and Oxidative Outcomes in an Acute Stress Mouse Model.

introductionChronic stress exacerbates anxiety and depression, prompting interest in adaptogens that enhance resilience via redox modulation. Building on its established systemic antioxidant properties and traditional use as a tonic, we hypothesized that flavonoid-rich Bauhinia forficata leaves possess unexplored adaptogenic-like potential in the central nervous system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the adaptogenic-like potential of crude extracts (CEs) and dichloromethane (DCM) fraction from B. forficata leaves in an acute stress mouse model.

methodsAdult male C57BL/6J/UFU mice were divided into two independent experimental sets. The first set evaluated the CE (five groups [n = 8-9 per group]: naive, stress plus vehicle, and stress plus CE at 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg). The second set evaluated the DCM fraction (five groups [n = 8-9 per group]: naive, stress plus vehicle, and stress plus DCM fraction at 10, 30, or 100 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 4 days, beginning 2 days before stress induction. A 12-h social isolation protocol without food or water induced acute stress. Behavioral assessments included the forced swim test (depressive-like behavior), elevated plus maze (anxiety-like behavior), and open field test (anxiety and locomotor activity). Serum urea and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels assessed potential hepatic and renal damage. Redox biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione content, ferric reducing antioxidant power, sulfhydryl groups, reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation were quantified in the cortex, striatum, cerebellum, and hippocampus of four groups of mice (n = 8 per group): naive, stress plus vehicle, and stress plus CE 30 mg/kg or DCM fraction at 10 mg/kg, respectively.

resultsBoth CE (30 mg/kg) and DCM (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced immobility in the forced swim test and increased time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze, indicating antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects. Higher doses displayed reduced efficacy. No significant differences in serum urea or ALT were detected. Redox assessments revealed that CE and DCM treatments restored antioxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation, particularly in the striatum and cortex. CE and DCM from B. forficata leaves exhibit adaptogenic-like properties, enhancing behavioral resilience and modulating oxidative stress in an acute stress mouse model.

conclusionThese findings highlight their preventive potential against acute stress-induced behavioral and oxidative changes, though further mechanistic and translational studies are needed to elucidate molecular targets and clinical applicability.