Evaluation of antidepressant activity of pogostemon cablin benth: behavioral and acute oral toxicity studies

Depressive disorder is a prevalent psychiatric disorder, which affects 21% of the world population. Studies revealed that by 2020, depressive disorder will be the top disability disease in the world. The treatment involving drugs can impose a various side effects including cardiac toxicity, hypopieasia, sexual dysfunstion, body weight gain, and sleep disorder. During the last decade, there is a growing interest on the use of natural products for mental disorders treatment. In this study, Pogostemon cablin benth was use to examine its antidepressant activity. Antidepressant activity of aqueous extract of Pogostemon cablin benth (AEPCB) on rat n = 6 was investigated by using Forced swimming test, Tail suspension test and rotarod apparatus test models. Fluoxetine was used as reference standards. AEPCB at the dose of 2000 mg has no toxic to rat orally. It has been observed from the study that AEPCB at higher concentration from 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg showed significant (p<0.01) reduction in immobility in forced swimming, tail suspension, and rotarod apparatus model of depression. The suppression was comparable to fluoxetine. Suggest that this extract of plant has the presence of antidepressants ‘like effect’ similar with synthetic drug in the market. Thus, this extraction can replace the current treatment by using synthetic drug.