Anxiolytic-like and anti-depressive-like activity of an aqueous extract of Eleusine indica on NMRI mice

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Résumé

The present study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of an aqueous extract of Eleusine indica (AEEi) in NMRI mice. To assess anxiolytic and antidepressant activity, the elevated plus maze and tail suspension test were used respectively as experimental models. As reference anxiolytics and antidepressants, diazepam and fluoxetine were used, respectively. In both experimental models, doses of 50, 200, and 600 mg/kg body weight were used for AEEi. In the elevated plus maze, AEEi significantly increased the time and number of open-arm entries at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight. In the tail suspension test, our extract significantly increased, in a dose-dependent manner, the latency to immobility, struggle time, and number of struggle episodes at doses of 200 and 600 mg/kg, while decreasing immobility time. These results clearly indicate the dual anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of our E. indica extract. However, it will require further studies to establish the active component and the mechanism of action of our extract on the central nervous system.

Mots-clés

Eleusine indica, anxiolytic-like, antidepressant-like, Diazepam, fluoxetine