Comparative Evaluation of Anti-depressant Activity of Leaves Extract of Dendrophthoe falcata Collected from Two Different Host Trees

Objective: In India, Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh is used in psychological effect in traditional uses. Under the family Loranthaceae, it is a parasitic plant found over different common trees like neem (Azadirachita indica), mango (Mangifera indica), guava (Psidium guajava), sugar apple (Annona squamosa), pomegranate (Punica granatum) etc. in all over India. A comparative study evaluated for antidepressant activity of 95% ethanolic extract of the plant hosting on two different plants namely mango and guava (DFm and DFg respectively). Materials and methods: The anti-depressant activity was evaluated by tail suspension method and forced swim test in wistar rats, administered DFm and DFg at dose of300 mg/kg and imipramine (30mg/kg) as standard following standard protocol. Phytochemical analysis of both plant extracts was carried out by suitable methodologies in search of active ingredient responsible for antidepressant activity and for comparative evaluation. Results: Both extracts showed significant anti-depressant activity in both model. DFg showed better anti-depressant activity over DFm in all model and comparable to the standard. In phytochemical analysis both extract showed presence of reducing sugar, cardiac glycosides, proteins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins but DFg showed more presence of secondary metabolites like proteins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins over DFm. Discussion and conclusion: DFm and DFg possess significant anti-depressant activity with presence of reducing sugar, cardiac glycosides, proteins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins. DFg shown better activity over DFg which may be due to effect of host-parasite interaction. Keywords: Dendrophthoe falcata, Forced swim test, Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Tail suspension test.