ANTI-DEPRESSANT EFFECT OF CHLOROPHYTUM TUBEROSUM DEPRESSED ANIMAL MODEL'S Aemireddy Vaishnavi , Papagatla Poli Reddy* PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ANTIEPILEPTIC ACTIVITY OF METHONNI

Depression is a multifactorial neuropsychiatric disorder often associated with neurotransmitter imbalances and oxidative stress. The present study evaluated the potential antidepressant and antioxidant effects of Chlorophytum tuberosum extract in a reserpine-induced depression model in rats. Animals were divided into six groups: control, reserpine-only, fluoxetine-treated, and three groups treated with varying doses (10, 150, and 200 mg/kg) of C. tuberosum extract along with reserpine. Behavioural assessments were conducted using the Forced Swim Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST), and Open Field Test (OFT) to assess depressive-like and exploratory behaviours. Biochemical analysis included measurement of serum and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as brain antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Reserpine treatment significantly increased immobility time and MDA levels, while reducing antioxidant enzyme activity, indicating both behavioural despair and oxidative stress. Fluoxetine and C. tuberosum at 200 mg/kg significantly reversed these effects, showing reduced immobility, improved exploratory behaviour, and restoration of antioxidant status. The results demonstrated that Chlorophytum tuberosum extract exhibits dose-dependent antidepressant-like effects, with the 200 mg/kg dose showing efficacy comparable to fluoxetine. The extract also significantly mitigated oxidative stress markers, suggesting its neuroprotective potential. In conclusion, Chlorophytum tuberosum may serve as a promising natural therapeutic agent for depression, potentially acting through modulation of oxidative stress and central monoaminergic pathways. Further investigations are warranted to isolate its active constituents and explore its mechanisms in chronic depression models. Keywords: Depression, Chlorophytum tuberosum, antidepressant