Abstract

EFFECT OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF IXORA COCCINEA ON ANTI-ANXIETY AND ANTI-DEPRESSANT ACTIVITY IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

T. Peter* and N. Jegan

ABSTRACT

Anxiety and depression are major psychiatric conditions affecting 5% of the population. In the traditional systems of medicine, many plants and formulations have been used to treat anxiety and depression disorders for many years. The present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Ixora coccinea at a dose of 200mg and 400mg/kg. Anxiolytic and antidepressant activities were evaluated by using elevated plus maze, force swimming and tail suspension test. In both these tests, the animals were subjected to external stress that results in alteration of the behavior of animal due to fear. Results of elevated plus maze test evidently showed anti-anxiety effect of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Ixora coccinea by increasing the time spent in open arms along with decreasing the time spent in closed arms in dosage-dependent way. For the evaluation of antidepressant effect of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Ixora coccinea diminished the immobility time in forced swim model and tail suspension test in dosage-dependent way. Outcome demonstrated that plant at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight showed significant potential which was similar to that standard Imipramine. Hence, leaves of Ixora coccinea may be used as potent natural psychotherapeutic agent against the mental disorders.

Keywords: Ixora coccinea, Diazepam, Imipramine, Elevated plus maze, Forced swim test and Tail suspension test.