PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF DESMOSTACHYA BIPINNATA LEAVES IN RATS

Depression is a widely prevalent form of mental illnesses worldwide. It is commonly associated with sad mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and low energy. Desmostachya bipinnata has many medicinal properties, and are used in traditional medicine in the treatment of various medical conditions. This study was conducted to better understand the antidepressant activity of Desmostachya bipinnata.

To evaluate the in vivo antidepressant activity of Ethanolic extract of Desmostachya bipinnata leave in Swiss albino mice. Ethanolic extract of Desmostachya bipinnata (EEDB) leaves was prepared by a continuous method using Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening followed by acute oral toxicity studies in mice. EEDB in the doses of 100mg/Kg, 200mg/Kg and 400mg/Kg mg/kg body weight was administered to test groups Group 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Imipramine hydrochloride 15mg/kg body weight was administered to Standard group by oral route. Test group 3 received 100mg/kg (p.o). Control group received Normal saline 10ml/kg body weight. Antidepressant activity was identified by using modified Forced Swimming Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST). Period of immobility was observed in both the models which was indicative of anti depressant activity. Standard statistical methods were used to evaluate the results. The results showed significant dose dependent antidepressant effect of EASL in Swiss albino mice for both the models in all the test groups (Test group I, II and III). EEDB possess significant antidepressant activity. However, further investigations are required to determine its active constituents and molecular level of target mechanism of the extract for further use in humans.

Keywords: Desmostachya bipinnata, Antidepressant activity, forced swim test, Open Field Test.