Antidepressant activity of ethanol leaf extract of Panicum maximum

Jude E Okokon, Jackson Obot, Louis U Amazu, Nelson Ebinyo

Abstract


Background: Panicum maximum is used in Ibibio ethnomedicine for the treatment of various diseases including central nervous system disorders.

Objective: To investigate the in vivo antidepressant activity of Panicum maximum.

Methods: The ethanol leaf extract of Panicum maximum (48 -144 mg/kg) was investigated for antidepressant activity in in Swiss albino mice using open field, force swimming and tail suspension tests.

Results: The extract was found to significantly (p<0.05-0.01) increase the frequency of line crossing, rearing and walling activities of mice in open field test. The extract also decreased significantly (p<0.05-0.001) duration of immobility time of mice in force swimming and tail suspension tests.

Conclusion: The leaf extract of P. maximum has antidepressant activity and this supports its use in ethnomedicine for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

Keywords: Panicum maximum, antidepressant, CNS stimulant


References


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