Investigating Antioxidant and Antidepressant Potential of Methanolic Extract and its Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Prunus Persica Leaves on Rat Model.

Traditionally, Prunus persica has been utilized for treating mental disorders for a long time, but to date, it has not been approved as a drug due to a lack of pharmacological investigations on this plant. The current examinations have been planned to assess the phytochemical, in-vitro antioxidant activity, and in-vivo antidepressant activity of plants using well-established animal models. P. persica leaves were collected from Ramgarh, Uttarakhand, and the plant extract (ME) was prepared in methanol) using soxhlate apparatus. First, phytochemical screening was done to determine the main chemical constituents, which show that the extract contains carbohydrates, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Previous reports suggest that plants' flavonoid and phenolic compounds are responsible for antidepressant activity. The antidepressant activity of ME was estimated using a tail suspension and forced swim test at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg. At a dose of 400 mg/kg, ME has shown significant antidepressant activity compared to (standard) Imipramine. The plant extract shows a dose-dependent antidepressant activity. The ME was further processed to make an ethyl acetate fraction, and two doses of ethyl extract (Et 25 and Et 50) were further evaluated for their phytochemical, antioxidant, and antidepressant activity. The ethyl acetate fraction has shown dose-dependent antidepressant activity. The fraction has shown better antioxidant potential than the standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]