Ethanolic Crude Extract of Roots of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Ameliorates Depression like Behaviour in Animal Models

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidepressant activity of the ethanolic extract of roots of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (HRS). The extract was tested on rats and mice at doses level of 250 and 500 mg/kg, Fluoxetine was used as a standard drug at dose of 15 mg/kg, by using forced swimming test, tail suspension test and open field test. HRS extract at dose level of 500 mg/kg caused high significant reduction in all activities when compared with the control group, HRS extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) respectively produced significant (P<0.05) effects at all the treatment doses. The results of the present study showed that the roots of China rose have significant antidepressant activity.