Evaluation of Adaptogenic and Antidepressant Activity of hydroalcoholic root exract of plumeria alba

Deepika pardhe* Sourav Guha, G

Abstract

Plumeria alba is a species of plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae, which is common to moist ground in tropical areas across the world. Extracts of P.alba L. are reportedly used in traditional medicine in Africa, South America, and Asia to treat a wide variety of human diseases. In Mexico, aqueous extracts from dried leaves of P.alba L. are used to treat anxiety. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antidepressant and adaptogenic potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of Plumeria alba root on various animal models. Tail suspension test and elevated plus maze was used to evaluate the antidepressant activity while swim endurance test and anoxia stress tolerance were used to evaluate the adaptogenic activity. The adaptogenic effect was assessed by swimming time and estimation of various biochemical parameters like glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, cortisol and BUN levels. These activities were tested at dose of 500 mg/kg as high dose and 250mg/kg as low dose extracts of Plumeria alba root using Withania somnifera (100mg/kg, p.o. ) as standard drug. It was found that extracts significantly (p<0.01) increases swimming time in rats. It also showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, plasma cortisol and BUN levels as compared to control group. The hydroalcoholic root extract of Plumeria alba was also able to increase the anoxia stress tolerance significantly(P<0.01). The obtained results revealed that Plumeria alba root has got significant anti stress activity. The hydroalcoholic root extract of Plumeria alba was also able to decrease the duration of immobility significantly (p<0.01) when compared to the control using standard as Imipramine (10mg/kg).

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