890 Original article doi: 10.12980/jclm.3.2015j5-60 ©2015 by the Journal of Coastal Life Medicine. All rights reserved. Antidepressant, anxiolytic and anti-nociceptive activities of ethanol extract of Steudnera colocasiifolia K. Koch leaves in mice model Mohammad Shah Hafez Kabir, Mohammed Munawar Hossain, Md. Mominur Rahman, Shabbir Ahmad, Abul Hasanat * , Tanvir Ahmad Chowdhury, Md. Akramul Hoque, Nishan Chakrabarty, Md. Shakhawat Hossain Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2015; 3(11): 890-894 Journal of Coastal Life Medicine journal homepage: www.jclmm.com *Corresponding author: Abul Hasanat, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, International Islamic University Chittagong, 154/A, College Road, Chittagong 4203, Bangladesh. Tel: +8801711982952 E-mail: Pharmahasanat@gmail.com Foundation Project: Supported by a research grant from Managing Committee of the Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh (Grant No. Pharm-P&D 71/09-15/54). 1. Introduction Depression is one of the main mental health problems of people all over the world, and it is connected with many disabilities[1,2]. It is a persistent illness that changes thoughts, mood and behavior of any person and has been expected to affect up to 21% population of the earth[3]. Synthetic drugs taken as antidepressant in proper dosages are regularly connected with their anticipated reactions like powerlessness in driving abilities, dry mouth, sexual brokenness and blockage and most of patients are hesitant to take this type of treatment[4]. Therefore, natural plants may be potential sources of novel antidepressant drugs and the usage of plant extracts and their phytoconstituents may act as an improved means in the management of depression and anxiety. In many nations, many medicinal plants from natural resources, especially Chinese medicine, such as Plantago asiatica and Hypercarium perforatum were successfully used to treat depression[5,6]. Anxiety-related disorders such as patient’s nervousness, obsessive- compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress are the foremost causes of infirmity in the world[7]. Currently, the most common approved medicines for anxiety disorders are benzodiazepines. However, the medical uses of benzodiazepines are limited by their side effects such as psychomotor destruction, potentiating activity of other sedatives and reliance liability[8]. The majority of antinociceptive (analgesic) drugs for example, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors and opioids show a broad scope of unfavorable impacts including kidney difficulty, gastrointestinal disorders and other redundant effects. Drug regulatory authorities are forcing to attach a boxed warning on the label of some COX-2 selective inhibitors for many risks like gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks[9]. As well, the dependence and misuse of opioids are a going up issue. Painkiller choice is determined by the type of pain, for example, conventional analgesics are low effective on the treatment of neuropathic pain[10]. Therefore, the advent of safe and successful ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the antidepressant, anxiolytic and antinociceptive activities of ethanol extract of Steudnera colocasiifolia K. Koch (S. colocasiifolia) leaves. Methods: Swiss albino mice treated with 1% Tween solution, standard drugs and ethanol extract of S. colocasiifolia, respectively, were subjected to the neurological and antinociceptive investigations. The tail suspension test and forced swimming test were used for testing antidepressant activity, where the parameter is the measurement of immobility time. Anxiolytic activity was evaluated by hole board model. Anti-nociceptive potential of the extract was also screened for centrally acting analgesic activity by using formalin induced licking response model and acetic acid induced writhing test was used for testing peripheral analgesic action. Results: Ethanol extract of S. colocasiifolia significantly decreased the period of immobility in both tested models (tail suspension and forced swimming models) of antidepressant activity. In the hole board model, there was a dose dependant (at 100 and 200 mg/kg) and a significant increase in the number of head dipping by comparing with control (1% Tween solution) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). In formalin induced licking model, a significant inhibition of pain compared to standard diclofenac sodium was observed (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). In acetic acid induced test, there was a significant reduction of writhing response and pain in mice treated with leaves extract of S. colocasiifolia at 200 mg/kg body weight (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results proofed the prospective antidepressant, anxiolytic and antinociceptive activities of ethanol extract of S. colocasiifolia leaves. Article history: Received 19 May 2015 Received in revised form 3 Jul, 2nd revised form 24 Jul, 3rd revised form 6 Sep 2015 Accepted 18 Oct 2015 Available online 9 Nov 2015 Keywords: Steudnera colocasiifolia K. Koch Antinociceptive Antidepressant Anxiolytic Hole board