Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

To evaluate the in vivo antidepressant activity of Methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida Seed (BHMSC) in Swiss albino mice. Methanolic extract of Benincasa hispida (BHMSC) Seed leaves was prepared by a continuous method using the Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was subjected to phytochemical screening followed by acute oral toxicity studies in mice. In this study, EASL (administered at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) was tested on different groups of mice. The Standard group received Imipramine hydrochloride (15 mg/kg body weight) orally. Additionally, Test Group 3 received a combination of 100 mg/kg EASL and 10 mg/kg Imipramine. The Control group was given Normal saline (10 ml/kg body weight). The researchers evaluated the antidepressant activity using the modified Forced Swimming Test (FST) and the Tail Suspension Test (TST). During the FST and TST, the period of immobility was observed. Immobility is considered indicative of antidepressant activity. The results demonstrated a significant dose-dependent antidepressant effect of BHMSC in Swiss albino mice across all test groups (Test groups I, II, and III). However, further investigations are necessary to identify the active constituents of BHMSC and understand its molecular target mechanism for potential use in humans.