Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF ACYRANTHES ASPERA BY USING FORCED SWIMMING 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. Acyranthes aspera extract was prepared by using maceration method. Physically induced depression parameters showed various behavioral abnormalities in experimental animals. Behavioral abnormalities were studied in rats by using forced swimming test apparatus. Rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals in each group. In forced swimming test Group I- distilled 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). analyzed the animals for antidepressant effect of Acyranthes aspera extract by using forced swimming test. The results showed that Acyranthes aspera extract 400 mg/kg and imipramine 20 mg/kg + Acyranhes aspera extract 400 mg/kg significant decrease immobility in forced swimming test apparatus. Thus, Acyranthes aspera extract may be included in effective treatment strategy of depression disorders.

Keywords: Depression, Acyranthes aspera, forced swimming test, Imipramine.