Abstract
Kigelia africana (Sausage tree), belonging to the Bignoniaceae family, is a multipurpose medicinal plant traditionally used for various ailments, including central nervous system (CNS) depression. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant activity of the leaf and fruit extracts of K. africana in Swiss albino mice. The leaves and fruits were collected, authenticated, and extracted using cold maceration with methanol. The yield calculated was 7.4% for the leaf extract and 34.10% for the fruit extract. Physico-chemical parameters, including loss on drying (23.22% for leaves, 26% for fruits) and ash values, were determined. GC-MS analysis revealed the major chemical constituent of the fruit extract to be 1,2-Cyclopentanetriol,3-methyl (39.47%) and the leaf extract to be Dibutyl phthalate (53.57%). The antidepressant activity was assessed using the Forced Swim Test (FST) and the Tail Suspension Test (TST) in both acute and chronic (14 days) treatment models, using Imipramine (30 mg/kg) as the standard drug. Both K. africana leaf and fruit extracts (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of immobility compared to the control group in the FST (acute and chronic), and the leaf extract also significantly reduced immobility in the TST (acute and chronic). These findings suggest that the methanolic extracts of Kigelia africana leaves and fruits possess significant antidepressant-like activity.
Keywords
Kigelia africana; Anti-depressant activity; Forced Swim Test (FST); Tail Suspension Test (TST); Albino Mice.
How to Cite:
Mansi Kanojia, Dr Vijendra Nath Trivedi, Ms. Priya Bisen , EVALUATION OF ANTI-DEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF KIGELIA AFRICANA LEAVES AND FRUITS EXTRACT IN ALBINO MICE , Volume 10 , Issue 9, september 2025, EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD),