## 4 Salt-Tolerant Plants as Sources of Neuroprotective and Mental Health Commodities
### In Vivo Studies  
Only a small number of researchers have assessed the neuroprotective effects of salt-tolerant plants in living organisms, focusing on six plant species from five different families, and primarily utilizing rodents for their studies. These findings are compiled in Table 3. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt} p{56.9 pt}} \hline
**Family/Species** & **Plant Organs** & **Extract** & **Main Constituents** & **Assay** & **Main Results** & **Reference** \\ \hline
**Amaranthaceae** & & & & & & \\ \hline  & & & & & & & \\  & & & & & & \\  & & & & & & \\  & & & & & & \\  & & & & & & \\ \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: In vivo neuroprotective activity of salt-tolerant plants. The most used plant parts are leaves, like _S. europaea_, _A. officinalis, P. major_, while _N. tangutorum_ was the only one testing the fruit [32; 68; 69; 70]. Further, several methods were used for extracting the biomass, including drying samples under sunlight, freeze-drying microencapsulated latex for _C. gigantea_[65], refluxing for 1 h in aqueous ethanol for _A. venetum_ leaves [66; 67], and using hot distilled water at 60 \({}^{\circ}\)C for 15 min for _P. major_ leaves [70]. Additionally, 95% ethanol was used for 3 h with stirring for _N. tangutorum_ fruit [69], and enzyme-digested PhytoMeal ethanol extract (PM-EE) was used for _S. europaea_ stem and leaves [32]. The most studied family was the Apocynaceae, where _A. venetum_ and _C. gigantea_ were studied. The 70% aqueous ethanol extract of _A. venetum_, mainly composed of hyperoside and isoquercirtin, was tested on the forced swimming test (FST) with CD male rat models, both for acute and repeated treatment. The results of these studies demonstrated the reduction in immobility in the forced swimming test after acute pre-treatment at 125 mg/kg, and after 14 days of treatment at 30 and 125 mg/kg [66; 67]. Moreover, the latex extracted from the aerial parts of _C. gigantea_ decreased apomorphine-induced climbing behaviour, 1-5-HTP-induced syndrome, and MK-801-induced hyperactivity in a dose-dependent way by influencing dopaminergic and serotonergic receptor interaction [65]. Furthermore, amongst several species traditionally used for mental and nervous issues, only _P. major_ has transitioned from traditional ethnobotanical practices to scientific testing. Ethnobotanical reports across European countries have highlighted the use of infusions and decoctions prepared from the leaves of _P. major_ for treating ailments related to the nervous system. Building upon this traditional knowledge, [PERSON] et al. [70] (2018) investigated the scientific basis of these reports. Utilizing a hot water extraction method to mimic traditional preparations, the study focused on the plant's impact on pentobarbital-induced hyprosis in rats, revealing that the extract notably doubled the sleeping time. This finding supports the plant's sedative effects, aligning with its historical use and demonstrating the potential of traditional medicine as a foundation for discovering therapeutic agents for neurological and mental health issues. The in vivo assays used to test the neuroprotective activity of plant extracts are crucial for understanding their efficacy in complex biological systems. The forced swimming test (FST) with CD male rat models is used to evaluate antidepressant-like activity by measuring immobility time, indicating potential mood-enhancing effects [71; 72]. The pentobarbital-induced hyprosis assay in rat models assesses sedative properties by measuring sleep duration, relevant for anxiety and insomnia treatment [73; 74]. The 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced hemi-Parkinsonism model in adult male Wistar rats mimics [PERSON]'s disease, evaluating neuroprotective effects through behavioural and neuronal integrity assessments [75]. The Alzheimer's-like scopolamine-induced amnesic mice model tests the cognitive function and memory improvement, indicating potential anti-Alzheimer's effects [76].