ABSTRACT
Selaginella bryopteris is a pteridophytic plant belongs to the family selaginellaceae. Its familiar name is sanjeevani booti. The present study emphasized on phytochemical screening and antidepressant activity of Selaginella bryopteris on Albino mice. Phytochemical analysis was carried with a view to asses the therapeutic values and safty of plant in ethnomedicine. The results of the phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and results of the quantitative estimations revealed that maximum amount of alkaloids are present in methanolic extract when compared to flavonoids, phenols and tannins. From the results of the phytochemical estimations methanolic extract is found to be efficient. The antidepressant activity of Selaginella bryopteris was tested on mice by Hole board test and Rotarod test. In both the tests Diazepam (depressant/ for inducing depressant) is used as standard. The results of the Hole board test showed significant motar performance (head dipping behavior) with the dose of 250mg/kg (48.66±4.05 at 120min) and 500mg/kg ( 69.33±6.36 at 120min) compared to standard of 10mg/kg (1.66±1.20 at 120min) and it was very interesting to note that retention time of mice has been significantly improved in Rotarod test with the dose of 250mg/kg (3.96±0.35) and 500mg/kg (7.23±0.46) of the methanolic extract of Selaginella bryopteris.