Evaluation of Antidepressant, Motor Coordination and Locomotor Activities of Ethanolic Root Extract of Clitoria ternatea

Abstract

Clitoria ternatea (CT), a perennial herbaceous plant commonly known as 'butterfly pea', has been used for centuries as a traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The aim of present study was to investigate the anti depressant (by Tail suspension test and Forced swimming test), motor coordination (by Rota-rod method) and locomotor (with an actophotometer) activities of ethanolic root extract of Clitoria ternatea Linn. in experimental animals. The study revealed that the extracts (150 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) were able to reduce the immobility time of rats in a dose-dependent manner when subjected to both Tail suspension and Forced swim tests, and the results were similar to that of standard drug imipramine (15 mg/kg, p.o.). Clitoria ternatea ethanolic root extract (300 mg/kg) showed mild reduction in locomotor and motor coordination activity. The results indicated that ethanolic root extract of Clitoria ternatea has significant anti depressant activity (150 mg/kg (p<0.01) and 300 mg/kg (p<0.001)) when compared with standard imipramine (p<0.001) with a mild sedative effect (300 mg/kg only). The results of the sedative effect are not statistically significant, and the sedative effect may be due to higher dose. Therefore, Clitoria ternatea may be served as a potential resource for natural psychotherapeutic agent against depression and mood disorders.