Open Access
Subscription Access
Open Access
Subscription Access
Evaluation of Antidepressant Activity of Ailanthus excelsa roxb. Using Mice as Experimental Animal
Subscribe/Renew Journal
Introduction: Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. is a tree belonging to family Simaroubaceae, commonly known as a plant of Heaven. The bark of the plant is reported for various pharmacological activities including ear ache, aantimicrobial, anti-viral, antitumor, cytotoxic, hypotensive, abortifacient, diabetes mellitus, obesity and various uterine disorders in Ayurveda. Methanolic extract of Ailanthus excelsa (MeAe) in 150 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg doses are used for evaluation of antidepressant activity.
Objective: To evaluate antidepressant activity of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. using mice as experimental animal by actophotometer and forced swim induced despair behaviour methods.
Methods: Swiss albino mice were randomly allocated to 4 groups (n=6); Group I (Normal Control), Group II (Standard group), group III and Group IV (Test Groups). Group I received distilled water while Group II, III and Group IV received Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p), MeAe 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg per oral respectively. Stem bark was extracted by cold maceration process. Antidepressant activity was estimated by actophotometer and forced swim induced despair behaviour methods.
Results: MeAe at dose of 150 mg/kg showed highly significant (p<0.01) increase in locomotion and decrease in immobility period while MeAe 100 mg/kg showed significant results in both methods.
Conclusion: MeAe (150 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) has antidepressant activity in mice.
Keywords
- Dhawan K, Dhavan S, Chhabra S. Attenuation of benzodiazepine dependence in mice by a trisubstituted benzoflavone moiety of Passiflora incarnate Linn. A non habit forming anxiolytic. J Pharm and Pharmceutical sciences 6(2): 2003; 215–222.
- Beaubrum G, Gray GE. A review of herbal medicines for psychiatric disorders. Psychiatr Service, 51; 2000:1130-1134.
- Evans WC. Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy. Harcourt Brace Elsevier, India. 2005.
- Anonymous, 1985. The Wealth of India, Raw Materials. Publication and information Directorate, New Delhi, pp: 116-118.
- Lavhale, M.S. and S.H. Mishra, 2007. Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Ailanthus excelsa: A review. Pharmacognosy Rev., 1: 105-113.
- Gülriz B, Ataa S, Ahmed F, Khaled R "Protein patterns and chemical constituents of Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle and Ailanthus excelsa Roxb." IUFS J Biol, 67(1): 2008, 81-88.
- Kulkarni SK. Handbook of experimental pharmacology. Vallabh Prakashan, New Delhi, India; 1987.
- Garg R.and Gupta VB. Adaptogenic activity of milk and aqueous decoction of asparagus racemosus willd. In acute and chronic stress paradigms in mice. Journal of Cell and Tissue Research Vol. 10(2), 2010; 2281-2286.
- Porsolt RD., Anton G., Blaven N., Jalfre M.: Indian J Pharmacol, 47: 1978, 379-391.
- Rakotonirina VS, Bum EN, Rakotonirena A, Bopelet M. Sedative properties of the decoction of the rhizom of Cyperus anticulatives. Fitoterapia 2001; 72: 22–29.
Abstract Views: 304
PDF Views: 2