PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECT OF THE FLOWER OF ALBIZZIA JULIBRISSIN DURAZZ

ObjectiveTo explore the antidepressant effect of water extracts of the flower of Albizzia julibrissin Durazz (hehuanhua).MethodsUsing the forced swimming test and tail suspension test in mice,the antidepressant effect of hehuanhua was observed.ResultsThe water extracts of hehuanhua significantly shortened immobility time in the forced swimming test and in the tail suspension test in mice (dose range 2 18 g/kg),two behavioral despair animal models of depression; It also decreased the ambulation in mice tested in an open field in a separate experiment.ConclusionThe water extracts of hehuanhua produces an antidepressant like effect in the despair animal models of depression in mice.