Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. is a tree belonging to family Simaroubaceae, commonly known as a plant of Heaven. The bark of the plant is reported for various pharmacological activities including ear ache, aantimicrobial, anti-viral, antitumor, cytotoxic, hypotensive, abortifacient, diabetes mellitus, obesity and various uterine disorders in Ayurveda. Methanolic extract of Ailanthus excelsa (MeAe) in 150 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg doses are used for evaluation of antidepressant activity.

To evaluate antidepressant activity of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. using mice as experimental animal by actophotometer and forced swim induced despair behaviour methods.

Swiss albino mice were randomly allocated to 4 groups (n=6); Group I (Normal Control), Group II (Standard group), group III and Group IV (Test Groups). Group I received distilled water while Group II, III and Group IV received Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p), MeAe 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg per oral respectively. Stem bark was extracted by cold maceration process. Antidepressant activity was estimated by actophotometer and forced swim induced despair behaviour methods.

MeAe at dose of 150 mg/kg showed highly significant (p<0.01) increase in locomotion and decrease in immobility period while MeAe 100 mg/kg showed significant results in both methods.

MeAe (150 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) has antidepressant activity in mice.