Evaluation of antidepressant effect of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves on Wistar albino rats

ABSTRACT

Background: Depression is one of the common mental disorder prevalent worldwide. Use of herbal medicines in the treatment of depression is becoming popular because of adverse effects of existing non herbal drugs. In this study Psidium guajava leaf aqueous extract is screened for antidepressant activity in Wistar albino rats.Methods: Wistar albino rats of both sex were used. After performing acute toxicity study, dose of test drug was fixed to 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg. Test and standard drugs were administered for 10 days orally. Standard drug used was Imipramine. Antidepressant activity was assessed using forced swim test and tail suspension test.Results: Statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey Kramer. Aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves showed significant antidepressant activity. Both Psidium guajava aqueous extract (PGAE)-100mg/kg and 200mg/kg showed antidepressant effect but compared to 100mg/kg dose of PGAE, 200mg/kg showed significant antidepressant activity.Conclusions: From this study it can be concluded that aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves has antidepressant activity.