Antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of Cochlospermum religiosum leaf extract, synergism with antidepressants, and molecular docking studies

23-31The leaves of Cochlospermum religiosum were investigated for the antidepressant and anxiolytic activities in mice using behavioural models like spontaneous locomotor activity, forced swim test, tail suspension test, elevated plus maze and marble burying behaviour. The mechanism was studied using Reserpine-induced hypothermia (RIH) model and in silico molecular docking. The leaf extract exhibited significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effects (P <0.05 for 50 mg/kgb.w.,p.o./P <0.01 for 100 mg/kgb.w., p.o.) in mice without an impact on baseline locomotor activity. The result from Reserpine-induced hypothermia rat model revealed that the leaf extract (50 mg/kgb.w., p.o.) significantly antagonized the effect (P <0.05) of Reserpine. Furthermore, synergistic effect was evaluated by coadministration of the leaf extracts with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and imipramine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) at sub-therapeutic dose levels. Synergistic effect of the leaf extract was significant (P