Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Potentials of Dichloromethane Fraction from Hedranthera barteri

Abstract

The dichloromethane fraction of Hedranthera barteri (DMHBR), a common medicinal plant, was investigated in animal models of depression and anxiety in mice. Graded doses (25-200mg/kg p.o. bw) of DMHBR reduced the immobility time with significant effects produced by 50mg/kg (43.7%), 100mg/kg (45.6%) and 200mg/kg (31.5%) in the tail suspension test (TST) and by 100mg/kg (66.3%) in forced swimming test (FST), indicating a possible antidepressant-like activity when compared with standard antidepressant drug, imipramine. Furthermore, a diminution in the anxiety response was also observed against elevated plus maze and light dark tests, which signify its anti-anxiety activity when compared with standard anxiolytic drug, diazepam. Moreover, DMHBR has no significant effects on both the motor coordination of the mice in the rota rod test and the sleeping time in the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time test. These results show that DMHBR has significant neuropharmacological activity as an antidepressant and anxiolytic activity.

Keywords: Anxiety, depression, Hedranthera barteri, imipramine, diazepam.