Antidepressant, anxiolytic sedative and muscle relaxant activities of Nicotiana plumaginifolia in mice

Abstract

Nicotiana plumbaginifolia is conventionally used as tranquilizer, diuretic, mucolytic, insecticide and a vomitive. In order to pharmacologically validate the sedative, anxiolytic, antidepressant and muscle relaxant activity of crude extract N. plumbaginifolia (NPCE). For the assessment of antidepressant effects, Forced Swim Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST) was carried out. NPCE significantly (300-500mg/kg) decreases immobility time in both FST and TST. Pretreatment with NPCE at 300 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg significantly increased entries of animals to the open spaces and significantly reduced the time spent in the closed spaces in elevated plus maze (EPM). For assessment of sedative effect, NPCE was administered to experimental mice in open field test (OFT). The overall effective was highly significant and dose dependent and reduced the number of ambulation and rearing. Similarly, muscle relaxant effect was validated in traction test, where NPCE at doses of 300 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg did not show any effect on muscle co-ordination in comparison to standard. Altogether, outcomes of the current data revealed potent antidepressant, sedative and anxiolytic like activities of N. plumbaginifolia in in-vivo experimental animal models. Further studies are needed to identify and isolate pharmacological active compounds behind these effects and the possible mechanisms involved.