Anxiolytic and Anti-Depressant Activities of Ethanol Extract of Mikania micrantha Kunth Leaves in Mice

Abstract

Sembung rambat (Mikania micrantha Kunth) is a weed that grows easily and may hinder cultivation of plants. However, it also has medicinal benefits. M. micrantha contains various secondary compounds such as linalool, quercetin, α-terpinene, and terpinene-4-ol, which have anti-depressant effects. To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted on the anxiolytic and anti-depressant activities of the leaves of this plant. This study determined the anxiolytic and anti-depressant activities of the ethanol extract of M.micrantha Kunth leaves. 48 male Swiss-Webster mice were assigned into four groups. All extracts, control, and Amitriptylilne groups were administered the same treatment. The forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were carried out to examine anti-depressant activity, whereas the elevated plus maze test (EPM) was used to assess anxiolytic activity. The FST and TST data showed that immobility times were significantly reduced when M. micrantha Kunth was administered at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.012, and p<0.033, respectively), while 250 mg/kg of M. micrantha Kunth increased the time spent in the open arms against the control group, although it was slightly lower than the amitriptyline group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the open-arm entries within the groups. M. micrantha Kunth leaves ethanol extract reduces the immobility time in FST and TST with increased entries on open arms and time spent in EPM.