Antidepressant and anxiolytic profiles of Cymbopogon Flexuosus ethanolic extract in chronic unpredictable mild stress induced in rats

The chronic mild stress (CMS) model in rats is a classic example to further understanding of human psychopathology. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activity of Cymbopogon Flexuosus ethanolic extract against CMS model induced in rats. The ethanolic extract of dried leaves of C. flexuosus was subjected to GCMS analysis using Thermo Scientific GC/MS equipped with AS 3000 auto samplers, trace ultra-GC and ISQ detector for determination of phytoconstituents. Rats were divided randomly into 7 groups (n=6). Group 1 was kept as normal unstressed rats given saline, Group 2 was unstressed rats given fluoxetine (1mg/kg), Groups from 3 to 7 were subjected to CMS model. Rats of group 3 served as control +ve. Thirty minutes before behavioral assessment, groups (4-7) were given fluoxetine (1mg/kg), extract at the dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg (p.o) respectively. Antidepressant and anxiolytic activities were assessed by activity box, open field activity, light and dark box and elevated plus maze. The neurotransmitter serotonin was determined in serum. The ethanolic extract of C. flexuosus at the doses of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg significantly ameliorated all the behavioral deficits that originated as a result of CMS. The group given C.flexuosus at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed the best effect among all other treated groups. Similar results were obtained on determining the serotonin levels in serum. It was concluded that the plant extract possesses a potential antidepressant and anxiolytic effect against chronic mild stress induced in rats.