Antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Trapa natans L. fruits in Swiss albino mice (Pharmacological research)

Abstract

Trapa natans L. commonly known as Water Chestnut, is a member of the Trapaceae family and has gained recognition as a nutritional powerhouse and a potential source of bioactive compounds with diverse psychopharmacological properties. Nevertheless, the available scientific information about this species is scarce and there are no reports related to its possible effect on the CNS. In this work, the effects of ethanolic extract of fruits of Trapa natans L. (EETNL) were evaluated in Swiss Albino Mice using behavioral tests sensitive to clinically effective antidepressant compounds. The ethanolic extract (200 and 400mg/kg), administered orally was able to decrease the immobility time of mice dose‐dependently when subjected to both tail suspension and forced swim tests and the effects are compared to that of standard drug i.e., imipramine (15mg/kg) and control group. In addition to behavioural tests, EETNL also normalized oxidative stress markers such as Catalase, SOD, MDA, and LPO in a dose dependant manner. It was observed that the plant extracts possess Antidepressant activity at higher dose levels. It is suggested that more studies in this regard should be pursued to obtain more knowledge about the role of Trapa natans L. in depression.