Pharmacological Evaluation of Antidepressant Activity of  Piper Betel Leaves and Clove

Shaik Salmasultana*, P. Sukumari, SK. Shafi, D. Maheswari, P. Ramsai, K. Sasikumar, A. Sravani
Department of Pharmacology, Jagan’s Collegeofpharmacy, Gangalakandriga, Nellore

A B S T R A C T
The antidepressant activity of eugenol excluded clove extract was investigated using two different models of stress induced depression (forced swim test and Tail suspension method). Animals were divided into different  groups each group receiving specific agent ranging from 2% Gum acacia, Standard drug, Eugenol and Eugenol  excluded clove extract. Standard drug produced significant results where as eugenol excluded clove extract has got  values which are nearly comparable to the standard when compared with the other groups. Higher doses of  eugenol produced muscular in coordination activity which was not seen with the other one. Piper betle Linn, is commonly known as Betel leaf or paan, belonging to the family Piperaceae. The leaves are pungent, bitter sweetish acrid in nature. It is commonly found in lowland tropical rainforests. Many species of piper have been used for treating different disease in many traditions examples P. cubeba as a cigarette flavoring. P. darienense is used to intoxicate fish.  Depression is a heterogeneous mood disorder that has been classified and treated in a variety of ways. Although a number of synthetic drugs are being used as standard treatment for clinically depressed patients, they have adverse effects that can compromise the therapeutic treatment. Thus, it is worthwhile to look for antidepressants from plants with proven advantage and favourable benefit-to-risk ratio. A number of medicinal plants per se and medicines derived from these plants have shown antidepressant properties by virtue of their medicinal constituents. The causes of depression are decreased brain levels of monoamines like noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Therefore, drugs restoring the reduced levels of these monoamines in the brain either by inhibiting monoamine oxidase or by inhibiting reuptake of these neurotransmitters might be fruitful in the treatment of depression. The present review is focused on the medicinal plants and plant-based formulations having antidepressant activity in animal studies and in human Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior,feelings, and sense of well-being. A depressed mood is a normal temporary reaction to life events such asloss of a loved one. It is also a symptom of some physical diseases and a side effect of some drugs andmedical treatments. Depressed mood is also a symptom of some mood disorders such as major depressivedisorder or dysthymia.
keywords: Clove, Piperbetel leaves,Depression, Neurotransmitters, Euginol.