Antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Centella asiatica. Linn by In vivo methods.

The antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica. Linn (Umbelliferae) were studied at doses of 100mg and 200mg/kg against forced swimming test in rodents. Imipramine (30mg/kg, i.p) was selected as reference standard and it showed significant antidepressant activity in rodents. A dose dependent reduction in immobility time was observed in FST. Whereas the extract significantly increases the exploratory behaviour in mice. The finding from the present investigation indicates that extract has significant antidepressant activity as shown by its effects on different experimentally induced different models.