Antidepressant activity of methanol root bark extract of Securinega virosa (Ex Willd.) Baill in albino mice

Abstract

Securinega virosa (S. virosa) is a commonly used medicinal plant in Africa for the management of psychiatric illnesses. Thus, the current study aimed at evaluating the antidepressant activity of the methanol extract of S. virosa in mice. The acute toxicity and phytochemical profiles were also determined. The antidepressant activity of the extract (500, 250 and 125 mg/kg) was assessed using the tail suspension test(TST), forced swim test (FST) and open field test (OFT).The median lethal dose was estimated to be ≤2000 mg/kg. Phytoconstituents like tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were found to be present in the crude extract. The methanol root bark extract of S. virosa significantly (p<0.05) decreased duration of immobility and also decreased comotion and exploratory behavior in mice. Results obtained from this study showed that the root bark extract of S. virosa might possess antidepressant activity.

Keywords: Securinega virosa, depression, anxiety, phytochemical