Abstract

Two classic animal behavior despair tests—the Forced Swimming Test (FST) and the Tail Suspension Test (TST) were used to evaluate the antidepressant activity of methanolic extract of Celtis timorensis mice. It was observed that of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST and TST in mice 30 min after treatment. Immobility displayed in both of these behavioral despair models has been hypothesized to reflect behavioral despair which in turn may reflect depressive disorders in human. The probable mechanism of action may be MECT ability to increase levels of Ach and serotonergic transmission however the exact mechanisms have to be investigated further. The standard antidepressant used here is fluoxetine.