EVALUATION OF ANTI-DEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF LEAF EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Mastanaiah Juturu*, Chakrapani Bestha, Krishnasree Nallamala Madhavi Latha Chennuru, Sushma M., Ushasree C.

ABSTRACT

Aim: The main aim of the study is to evaluate the antidepressant activity of Terminalia catappa using different animal models in mice. Methods: The leaves of Terminalia catappa were collected and shade dried at room temperature and grinded coarsely before extraction. The leaves were extracted by hot maceration by using distil water. The resulting extract was collected in to air tight container. Thus, the prepared extract was used for further pharmacological evaluation. All the animals were fed with pellets standard diet and water was supplied ad libitum under strict hygienic conditions. All the experimental protocols were approved by Institutional Animal Ethical Committee (IAEC).All the animal studies were performed as per rules and regulations in accordance to guideline of CPCSEA registration. All the animals were fasted 3hrs & 1 hr according to experiment done prior to oral administration of vehicle/standard/test compounds. All experiments were carried out during the light period (9:00 to 17:00 h) to avoid circadian rhythm. Results: Results indicated that the organization of the AETC delivered a decrease of term of idleness time of mice presented to the both FST and TST. What's more, in the present investigation, the AETC (500mg/kg, po) directed to mice delivered note worthy. Anti depressant effect in both FST & TST and their efficacies were found to be comparable to Fluoxetine (25mg/kg, po). Conclusion: Anti depressant activity of aqueous extract of Terminalia catappa was found to be significant at high dose (500mg/kg, po). The flavanoids and tannins present in AETC may be facilitating monoaminergic transmission there by producing antidepressant effects.

Keywords: Antidepressant effects; Depression; Terminalia catappa; Phytochemical analysis.