Experimental Evaluation of Antidepressant Activity of Aqueous and Methanolic Leaf and Shoot Extracts of Ageratum conyzoides Linn in Mice

Objective: To investigate Antidepressant activity of aqueous and methanolic leaf and shoot extracts of Ageratum conyzoides plant in mice.

Methods: The Antidepressant activity of aqueous and methanolic leaf and shoot extracts of Ageratum conyzoides plant were tested by Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) in albino mice and the results were compared for the both extracts. Imipramine was used as the standard drug for comparison.

Results: Phytochemical screening showed presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, cardiac glycosides. AEAC (Aqueous Extract of Ageratum conyzoides) and MEAC (Methanolic Extract of Ageratum conyzoides) did not produce any lethal effect even upto 2000mg/kg, p.o during Acute Oral Toxicity study. In FST (Forced swim test) and TST (Tail Suspension test), AEAC (Aqueous Extract of Ageratum conyzoides) showed diminution of duration of immobility time in 200mg/kg but not in 100mg/kg.

Conclusion: From the above investigations, concluding that, shortening of immobility time in the FST and TST indicating, AEAC showed more antidepressant activity acting either by the enhancement of central 5-HT or catecholamine neurotransmission compared to MEAC (Methanolic Extract of Ageratum conyzoides) in mice.