Evaluation of Anti Depressant Activity of Murraya Koenigii Leaf Extract in Mice

Abstract

Murraya koenigii Spreng (Rutaceae), a medicinally important herb of Indian origin, has been Used for centuries in the Ayurvedic System of Medicine. Aqueous extract of the leaves of Murraya koenigii possesses alexeteric, antihelmintic, analgesic, dysentry, purgative and blood disorders. Also they are reported to be useful in inflammation, healing of wounds, injuries, antioxidative activity. In folklore practice, the decoction of M. koenigii leaves has been reported to be useful in diarrhoea. In the present study the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of seeds was evaluated for antidepressant activity in mice. The models selected for the study were tail suspension test and despair swimming test. The extract at the doses of 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly reduced the duration of immobility of mice in tail suspension test and despair swimming test as compared to the untreated group. Further, it potentiated the amphetamine induced stereotypic behaviour and enhanced the compulsive gnawing behaviour in mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that Murraya koenigii exerts antidepressant-like effects comparable to those of imipramine in experimental animal models.