Anxiolytic, Antidepressant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Methanol Extract of Leaves of Momordica Charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae)

Methanol extract of dried leaves of Momordica charantia Linn ( Cucurbitaceae ) was investigated for anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models. Anxiolytic activity of methanol extract of dried leaves of Momordica charantia Linn was tested by elevated plus maze test and the results showed a significant anxiolytic effect comparable, with diazepam in all the tested doses. Behaviour despair test was used to assess antidepressant activity of methanol extract of M. charantia Linn leaves. The extract treatment showed antidepressant effect by decreasing mobility time of subjected rats to forced swimming dose of 300 mg/kg extract, the swimming behaviour of the animals was comparable to the standard drug imipramine. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied by Carrageenin-induced edema in rats 60 percent edema inhibition was observed with 300 mg/kg methanol extract of dried leaves of Momordica charantia Linn, which was nearly equivalent to that of 10 mg/kg of indomethacin.