Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF ACYRANTHES ASPERA BY USING OPEN FIELD TEST IN RATS

Rizwana Bee* and Dr. K. K. Maheshwari

Abstract

Present research work was performed to evaluate the effect of Acyranthes aspera extract against physically induced depression in rats. Antidepressant activity of Acyranthes aspera extract was compared with imipramine. Extraction of Acyranhes aspera was carried out by using maceration. Physically induced depression parameters showed several behavioral abnormalities in experimental animals. Behavioral abnormalities were studied in rats by using open field test apparatus. Rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals in each group. In open field test test Group I- ditilled water (10 ml/kg), Group II- imipramine (20 mg/kg), Group III-Acyranthes aspera (400 mg/kg) and Group IV- Acyranthes aspera (400 mg/kg) + imipramine (20 mg/kg). All the solutions were freshly prepared daily and animals were treated for two days on 22nd and 23rdday by oral route after 21 days depression inducing period. Examine the animals for antidepressant activity of Acyranthes aspera by using open field test apparatus. The results showed that Acyrantes aspera extract 400 mg/kg and imipramine 20 mg/kg + Acyranhes aspera extract 400 mg/kg significant decrease defecation and significant increase rearing and central square entries. Thus, Acyranthes aspera extract may be included in effective treatment strategy of depression disorders.

Keywords: Depression, Acyranthes aspera, Open field test, Imipramine.