Pharmacological Investigation of Pithecellobium dulce Stem Bark extract for Anti-Depressant Activity on Mice and Rats

Abstract

Pithecellobium dulce (PD), commonly known as Jangli-jilebi, is a Manila tamarind belonging to the family Leguminosae. P. dulce (PD) is used to treat various diseases like diarrhea, asthma, leprosy, paralysis, inflammatory, anti-bacterial, spermicidal, anti-convulsant, etc. In this paper, we studied the activity of P. Dulce for depression, which is a debilitating, life-threatening, and common disease affecting different sections of the community. Chemical and synthetic medications used to treat this disease have significant negative side effects, and only 50–60% of patients fully recover. At the same time, the available scientific information about this species is scarce, and there are no reports related to its possible effects on the central nervous system. In this work, the effects of acetone and methanolic extracts of the stem bark of P. dulce (PD) were evaluated in mice and rats utilizing behavioral assays sensitive to clinically effective anti-depressant compounds. In both the forced swim test and the tail suspension test, the extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg) administered orally were able to shorten the immobility duration of mice and rats in a dose-dependent manner. According to the current study's findings, PD extract may have antidepressant potential and be useful in treating those who suffer from depressive disorders. These findings proved that PD has specifically anti-depressive in vivo effects.