Antidepressant and Antioxidant Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Evolvulus alsinoides Leaves and its effect on TNF-α Expression in Mice Hippocampus

To investigate the antidepressant and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides leaves and its effect on TNF-α expression in mice hippocampus.

The extraction of collected leaves was carried out by Soxhlet apparatus using 98% of ethanol. Phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out by using standard procedure. Antidepressant activity of the extract was evaluated by using the forced swim test and tail suspension test. Locomotor activity was investigated by using actophotometer and open field test. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH Assay. Further Immunohistochemistry (TNF – α expression) was evaluated in mice hippocampus. The liver and brain were dissected, weighed, and processed for histopathological analysis.

In present study, Phytochemical screening of extract proved the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, proteins, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins and steroids. Oral administration of extracts for 21 days showed significant (P< 0.01) decrease in immobility in the tail suspension and forced swim models of depression without any stimulant effect of the extract. The antioxidant activity was determined by % of radical scavenging and IC₅₀ value of extract was found to be 2.47 µg/ml. In comparison to the control group, extract at 400 mg/kg was able to lower the expression of TNF-alpha. Histopathology of brain showed recovery of cells in E. alsinoides (400 mg/kg) treated mice. From liver histopathology it was confirmed that the extract was free from toxicity.

The results showed that extract exhibits antidepressant, antioxidant and lowering TNF-α expression in Swiss albino mice.