Abstract
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of methanolic extract of Tridax procumbens Leaves (family: Asteraceae), popularly known as Tridax procumbens on depression using force swim test in rats, potentiation of norepinephrine toxicity in mice and haloperidol induce catalepsy in mice. The extract of Tridax procumbens (250 and 500 mg/kg) was administered orally to rats used in FST and 500mg/kg was administered in HIC and same dose administered in NE toxicity in mice. The dose of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of extract significantly (p<0.001) reduced the immobility times in rats but dose of 500 mg/kg showed more potent effect than Imipramine (30mg/kg). So this dose was used in HIC and NE toxicity in mice. But in NE toxicity model it was observed that METP is not good adrenergic component. A significant (P<0.001) reduction in the duration of catalepsy was observed in the METP treated group and Fluoxetine group as compared to the haloperidol treated group. In HIC, mice were sacrificed on the seventh day and TBARS, glutathione, nitrite activities were estimated. Monoamine oxidase inhibiting effect and anti-oxidant effect of Tridax procumbens s may be contributing favorably to the antidepressant-like activity. Thus, it is concluded that Tridax procumbens extract may possess an antidepressant like effect.