Abstract

EVALUATION OF DEPRESSANT AND ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF HOLARRHENA ANTIDYSENTRICA LEAVES.

Aswathy.C*, Nancy Jose, Dr. Sr. Betty Carla, Priyona Roy and Meera.R.Nath

ABSTRACT

The behavioural effects of a methanolic extract of leaves of Holarrhena antidysentrica were studied in either sex of mice and rats. Phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins are the major constituents. The extract was administered orally. Anxiolytic like properties were studied in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM), hole board and anti-depressant like actions were evaluated in the despair swim test and tail suspension method. The result revealed that all doses (200 and 400mg/kg) increased the exploration in the EPM of open arms and increased the nose poking count of the hole board. In despair swim test and tail suspension, the H.antidysentrica (200 and 400mg/kg p.o) was showed the opposite effect of imipramine, which increased the immobility time, along with a significant decrease in swimming behaviour. Animals pre-treated with dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg of H.antidysentrica were statistically analysed and compared to the control group.Thus the present study indicates that the methanolic extract of Holarrhena antidysentrica leaves may have anxiolytic and depressant like properties which deserve further investigation.

Keywords: Holarrhena antidysentrica, CNS depreesion, Anxiolytic, immobility, nose poking.