Evaluation of adaptogenic and antidepressant activity of hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Salacia chinensis in mice

Abstract

Study was carried out to evaluate the Adaptogenic and Antidepressant effect of Salacia chinensis leaf extract in animal model.Salacia chinensis is a plant species belonging to the family Celastraceae. This study was carried out to evaluate the Adaptogenic and Antidepressant effect of Salacia chinensis leaf extract in animal model. Swimming Endurance Test was used to evaluate the Adaptogenic activity in albino mice while Tail Suspension Test and Elevated Plus Maze test was used to evaluate the Antidepressant activity in albino mice. In Swimming Endurance model various biochemical parameters like blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides were estimated, weight of organs like liver, spleen and adrenal gland was measured in stress control and extract treated animals. Immobility as behavioural parameter was assessed in Tail Suspension Test and Elevated Plus Maze model of depression after treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Salacia chinensis leaf at selected dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Results of the study have showed significant Adaptogenic and Antidepressant activity of Salacia chinensis.Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis (15) Salacia chinensis leaves extract was subjected to chemical tests for the identification of their active constituents. The results have indicated the presence of flavonoid, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, carbohydrates.The biochemical estimation results obtained showed decrease in blood glucose, triglyceride, and slight increase in cholesterol level when compared to control which support the adaptogenic activity of the title plant as shown in table no: 02,03,04 and fig no: 03,04,05,06,07. The duration of immobility was reduced after treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Salacia chinensis and results are significant on both high dose 400 mg/kg, p.o. (P<0.001) and low dose 200 mg/kg, p.o. (P<0.01) with that of standard Imipramine (10 mg/kg, p.o.) indicating that the extract possess significant antidepressant activity. Results depicted in table no: 05 and fig no: 08,09.The hydroalcoholic extract of Salacia chinensis at high dose (400 mg/kg, p.o) (P˂0.05) significantly increased the number of entries in to open arm and total time spent in open arm as compared to control.It shows increase in the mobility of the mice in open arm which suggest the antidepressant activity shown in table no:06 and fig no: 10,11.Based on the results obtained from this study it can be concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of Salacia chinensis leaves possess Adaptogenic and Antidepressant activity. This beneficial effect of Salacia chinensis leaf might be due to presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and its derivatives.