Pharmacological Evaluation of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Herbal Drugs for Its Antidepressant Potential

Pallavi Tukaram Jadhav ^1,2, Suvarna Pramod Ingale ³, Prabha Nandkumar Bhong ^2,4

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Pratibhatai Pawar College of Pharmacy, Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India 413739
²Research Scholar, Shree Chanakya Education Society's, Indira College of Pharmacy, Tathawade, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411033
³Professor and HOD, Department of Pharmacology, Shree Chanakya Education Society's Indira College of Pharmacy, Tathawade, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411033
⁴Assistant Professor, Marathwada Mitramandal's College of Pharmacy, Thergaon, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411033

---

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Millions of people worldwide struggle with depression, an illness that has the potential risk of causing suicidal tendencies that can lead to death. The current antidepressants available, need several weeks of treatment to cause the remission of depressive symptoms and are associated with multiple side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in the investigation of alternative therapeutic approaches or adjunctive strategies which could be useful for the management of depression. Many studies indicated that Cocculus hirsutus & Persea americana has neuroprotective properties and potential benefits in managing neurological conditions. However, more research is needed to understand its effects on depression. Hence, we evaluated hydroalcoholic extract of Cocculus hirsutus & Persea americana leaves for its antidepressant potential.

Methods: Antidepressant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Cocculus hirsutus & Persea americana leaves was evaluated using forced swim test, Tail suspension test (TST) and open field test (OFT). Additionally, brain monoamines estimation (i.e. Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and 5-HT) was carried out to understand the mechanism of action.

Result: Treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of Cocculus hirsutus & Persea americana showed significant decrease in immobility time in FST & TST and increase in locomotion in open field test. Further brain amine estimation exhibited increase in NE and 5-HT.

Conclusion: This study suggests that hydroalcoholic extract of Cocculus hirsutus & Persea americana leaves possess significant antidepressant activity by modulating brain NE and 5-HT level. Therefore, hydroalcoholic extract of Cocculus hirsutus & Persea americana can be used as a valuable plant supplement to treat depressive disorders.

Keywords: Cocculus hirsutus & Persea americana, antidepressant activity, tail suspension test

How to cite this article: Jadhav PT, Ingale SP, Bhong PN; Pharmacological Evaluation of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Herbal Drugs for Its Antidepressant Potential. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3s): 568-578; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3s.74