Title:Anti-depressant, Anxiolytic, and the Muscle Relaxant Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cissampelos pareira Linn. Leaves
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mohammad Asif*, Jayesh Dwivedi and Sandeep Yadav
Affiliation:
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Lachoo Memorial College of Science and Technology, Sector-A, Shastri Nagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342001,India
Keywords:
Cissampelos pareira, hydroalcoholic extract, acute oral toxicity, anti-depressant activity, anxiolytic activity, muscle
relaxant activity.
Abstract:
Background: The ethnopharmacological relevance suggests that the ethnic minorities
of India use leaves of Cissampelos pareira L. as a traditional medicine for curing various psychopharmacological
disorders.
Objective: To evaluate anti-depressant, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant activity of hydro-alcoholic
extract of Cissampelos pareira.
Methods: Leaves of Cissampelos pareira were extracted using a hydro-alcoholic solvent. The
safety of hydro-alcoholic extract of Cissampelos pareira was assessed by acute oral toxicity
(OECD 423). The anti-depressant activity was measured using open field test, locomotor test,
despair swim test, tail suspension test. The anxiolytic activity was assessed using elevated plus
maze and hole board test, and skeletal muscle relaxant activity was assessed using rotarod, grip
strength, chimney, and inclined plane test.
Results: No moribund status or mortality was observed in experimental mice up to 2000 mg/kg
dose of Cissampelos pareira hydro-alcoholic extract (CPHE). In the open field and actophotometer
tests, CPHE 200 and 400 mg/kg treated mice significantly abridged ambulation, number of
central squares crossed, total locomotion, and depicted less coordinated movements, and in despair
swim and tail suspension tests, CPHE 400 mg/kg treated mice significantly decreased duration
of immobility and increased number of climbing, confirming its anti-depressant effect. In an
elevated plus-maze test, CPHE 200 and 400 mg/kg increased the open arm exploration, while in the
hole board test, CPHE 400 mg/kg treated rats augmented the number of head dips, depicting its anxiolytic
effect. In rotarod, grip strength, and inclined plane test, CPHE 400 mg/kg treated mice decreased
the fall-off time on a rotating rod, suspended wire, or inclined plane. Furthermore, in the
chimney test, treatment with CPHE 400 depicted less coordinated movements in mice; the mice of
this group took more time to leave the cylinder, depicting its skeletal muscle relaxant effect.
Conclusion: Based on the results, of this study, it can be concluded that CPHE 400 mg/kg exhibits
strong anti-depressant, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant effects, justifying its traditional uses.