ANTIDEPRESSANT-LIKE ACTIVITY OF CRUDE LEAF EXTRACT AND SOLVENT FRACTION OF THE Commelinna benghalensis LINN IN THE RODENTS

Abstract

Background: An ethno-botanical study has shown that Commelina benghalensis has been used in the treatment of depression, but its efficacy and safety have not yet been established. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like activity of C. benghalensis crude leaf extract and the solvent fraction in rodents. Method: The antidepressant-like activity of the crude leaf extract and solvent fraction of C. benghalensis was evaluated using the depression models of Forced Swim Test (TST), Forced Swim Test (FST), and Open Field Test (OFT). Animals were randomly assigned to five groups. Group I received the vehicle (10 ml/kg), and Group II received the standard drug of fluoxetine (20 mg/kg). The test group from III to V received 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of the crude extract or solvent fractions of C. benghalensis. The data was statistically analyzed using ANOVA, followed by a post-hoc Tukey test. The results were considered significant at P<0.05, 95% and P<, 0.001, 99% confidence interval. Result: The crude leaf extract of C. benghalensis, at 100 mg/kg doses, did not reduce immobility time in both the TST and FST models. However, at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p<0.05, p<0.001), immobility time was significantly reduced. In TST mice treated with hexane and ethyl acetate fraction at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p<0.05, p<0.001), there was a significant reduction in immobility time compared to the control group. The aqueous fraction at doses of 100, 200 (p<0.05), and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) shows a significant reduction in immobility time compared to the control groups. The hexane and ethyl acetate fractions significantly reduced immobility duration in FST at 400 mg/kg compared to the control. Rats treated with aqueous fraction at doses of 200 mg/kg (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) showed a significant decrease in immobility duration compared to the control group. Conclusion: The study found significant antidepressant-like activity in C. benghalensis crude leaf extract and solvent fraction. As no impact on locomotor activity was observed in the OFT model, the possible mechanism could not be non-specific motor stimulation. Further study on the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds responsible for the antidepressant activity of the extract should be done.