Abstract

SCREENING OF ANXIOLYTIC AND ANTIDEPRESSANT POTENTIAL OF HYDROALCOHOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT (HLE) OF CLITOREA TERNATEA IN ALBINO RATS

*Azhar Iqbal and N. Trilochana

ABSTRACT

Anxiety is a psychiatric- nervous disorder marked by excessive uneasiness or feeling of discomfort and apprehension (unpleasant will happen). Clitoria ternatea Linn. is an annual twining herb native to India, China, the Philippines, and Madagascar, and belongs to the Fabaceae family. This research focuses on pharmacological screening of anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of hydroalcoholic leaves extract (HLE) of Clitoria ternatea in Wistar albino rats by using diverse types of animal models to confirm its actual pharmacological potential. The leaves of Clitoria ternatea were obtained from the Unnao reason. It was identified and authenticated by a botanist and extracted through hydroalcoholic maceration process. Albino rats of either sex weighing 150–200 g will be obtained from the Animal House, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (IPSR), Unnao. The animals are maintained in proper conditions, at room temperatures of 25 ± 1°C with 12-hour light/dark cycle. Rats were classified into 4 groups, i.e., group 1 (normal saline), group 2 (Imipramine 10mg/kg), group 3 (HLE of Clitoria ternatea (200mg/kg) and group 4 (HLE of Clitoria ternatea (200mg/kg). Different parameters were followed in evaluation such as elevated plus maze, light/dark arena, forced swimming test and locomotor activity. In all the models, hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Clitoria ternatea significantly demonstrated anxiolytic and antidepressant potential in both the doses when compared to control. Its effect was about similar and near to standard drug treated group. It indicates that actions might be similar to Imipramine, Diazepam etc. In conclusion, hydro-alcoholic leaves extract (HLE) of Clitoria ternatea is significant anxiolytic and anti-depressant herbal drug.

Keywords: Anxiolytic, antidepressant, Clitoria ternatea, hydroalcoholic, albino rats.