Antidepressant and Anticataleptic Effects of Eucalyptus tereticornis in Rats and Mice

Abstract

Background: Terpenoids possess antidepressant, memory enhancer, neuroprotective and other Central Nervous System (CNS) actions. Eucalyptus tereticornis is a rich source of terpenoids. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate anti-depressant and anti-cataleptic effect of Eucalyptus tereticornis. Molecular docking studies were also employed to study the mechanism of action. Material and Methods: Locomotor activity and muscle coordination was studied by using actophotometer and rotarod apparatus in rats. The evaluation of anti-depressant activity was studied by forced swimming and tail suspension test in mice. Haloperidol induced catalepsy model was used to evaluate anti-cataleptic effect. Different phytoconstituents present in Eucalyptus tereticornis like citronellal, geranyl acetate and terpine-4-ol were screened through computational assessment with the Lipinski's rule of 5, ADMET properties and molecular docking studies. Computational docking analysis was performed by AutoDock Vina 4.2.6 version. Results: Eucalyptus tereticornis significantly increases the locomotor activity and improves motor coordination. At 100 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of Eucalyptus tereticornis significantly shows anti-depressant and anti-cataleptic activity. Phytoconstituents like citronellal, geranyl acetate and terpinen-4-ol exhibit nonselective Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibition activity. Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of Eucalyptus tereticornis may possess anti-depressant and anti-cataleptic activity with efficient CNS stimulant action which may be attributed to non-selective MAOinhibition activity of its phytoconstituents like geranyl acetate, citronellal and terpinen-4-ol.

Keywords

• catalepsy
• depression
• dopamine
• haloperidol
• monoamine oxidase