EVALUATION OF THE ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS OF PILEA MICROPHYLLA IN MICE

Abstract

To date, the search for novel pharmacotherapy from medicinal plants for psychiatric illnesses has significantly progressed. This study investigated the effect of selected crude extracts from Pilea microphylla in the mouse forced test (FST) and in the tail suspension test (TST), two models predictive of antidepressant activity. Selected crude extracts from Pilea microphylla produced an antidepressant–like effect, since the acute treatment of mice with extracts by intraperitoneal (i.p.) route significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST (50 and 100 mg/kg) and TST (50 and 100 mg/kg), as compared to positive controls (haloperidol and fluoxetine) at 1 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. The antidepressant–like effect of extracts was found to be significant at high doses, followed by an increase in the immobility time at dose of 100 mg/kg. A significant decreased of immobility was also found on the third day at the concentration of 100 mg/kg of chloroform extract of Pilea microphylla from extraction method II (CEPM II) and ethyl acetate extract of Pilea microphyllafrom extraction method II (EAEPM II); (except methanol extract ofPilea microphylla from extraction method I (MEPM I) at 100 mg/kg) with respect to the first day. Ethyl acetate and chloroform extract from extraction method II when administered at an acute dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight (P < 0.05) reduced the immobility time. Among all the three selected extracts with two doses administered there were differences compared to the control, EAEPM II led to reduction of immobility time, in the FST method by 38.50% for 50 mg/kg to as much as 75.97% for 100 mg/kg. Similar results of increased antidepressant effect, that was, of immobility time depending on the concentration administered, were obtained with the TST method. These results suggested the anti–depression activity of the plant extract. Therefore, P. microphylla may be served as a potential resource for natural psychotherapeutic agent against depression. However, further studies are still required.