Cuscuta reflexa L. and roxb.: an implication of quercetin mediated monoamine oxidase inhibition in preclinical models of depression

ABSTRACT

The current study was aimed at exploring the folkloric use of Cuscuta reflexa dodder a parasitic plant [family convolulaceae] against depression. Briefly, the methanolic extract of C. reflexa vine was assessed for antidepressant action using various behavioral paradigms such as tail suspension test [TST], forced swim test [FST] and locomotor activity test. The serotonergic and noradrenergic changes were evaluated using 5-hydroxytryptophan [5-HTP] induced head twitches and yohimbine potentiation tests, respectively. The fluoxetine and phenelzine were used as positive controls in the study. Our data demonstrated that the C. reflexa extract significantly declined the immobility time in TST [EC[50] 50 mg/kg] and FST without affecting the locomotor counts