Phytochemical Analysis and Antidepressant Activity of Ixora coccinea Extracts in Experimental Models of Depression in Mice.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to assess the antidepressant activity of Ixora coccinea extracts in mice and phytochemical analysis of the active extract by GC-MS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: After oral administration of extracts, tail suspension test (TST), force swim tests (FST), and open field tests (OFT) were performed to assess the antidepressant activity. GC-MS analysis of methanol extract of I. coccinea was performed to ascertain the chemical constituents in the bioactive extract.
RESULTS: The methanol extract of I. coccinea at dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o. significantly reduced the total duration of immobility in the TST as well as FST (p<0.01). I. coccinea extracts showed no significant changes in locomotor activity in OFT.
CONCLUSION: The methanol extract of I. coccinea possesses antidepressant-like properties in mice with no significant effect on locomotor activity in OFT. ©Copyright 2018 Turk J Pharm Sci, Published by Galenos Publishing House.