Antidepressant activity of ethanol extract of Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach) W. F. Wight leaf in mice

Abstract

Background: Albizia adianthifolia (Mimosoideae) is a medicinal l plant used in the management of infections and central nervous system disorders. The presented study evaluated the antidepressant properties of the ethanol extract of Albizia adianthifolia leaves (EEAAL) in mice. Methods: Pulverised leaves of Albizia adianthifolia were extracted with 50% ethanol by cold maceration and concentrated to dryness. Swiss mice were divided into five groups and treated with distilled water (10 mL/kg), EEAAL (1.25, 2.50, 5.00 mg/kg, i.p.) and imipramine (12 mg/kg). Antidepressant activity was assessed by force swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), reserpine-induced depression model and yohimbine-induced lethality test. Open field paradigm was used to screen the false results in FST and TST. Results: The EEAAL (1.25,2.50 mg/kg) significantly reduced immobility time in FST at dose 1.25 mg/kg (40.8 ± 13.1) and 2.50 mg/kg (42.4 ± 9.7) compared to control (170.0 ± 10.1) [p<0.05]. Similarly, 1.25 mg/kg of the extract significantly reduced immobility time in T ST (85.2 ± 8.9) compared to control (142.6 ± 3.9) [p<0.05] without causing changes in spontaneous motor activity in open field. EEAAL reversed diarrhoea, ptosis, and hypothermia induced by reserpine compared with control groups and did not potentiate yohimbine-induced lethality. Conclusion: It was concluded that the extract has antidepressant like properties which supports its ethnomedicinal use in the treatment of depression.