Behavioural Evaluation of Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) Ethanol bulb Extract Reveals Dose-Dependent Antidepressant-Like Effects in Murine Models.

Abstract

Depression remains a major global health challenge., Limitations associated with current pharmacotherapies drive the search for novel, safer antidepressant agents from natural sources. Pancratium maritimum is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive secondary metabolites. This study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of the ethanol extract of Pancratium maritimum bulbs in murine models and characterized its phytochemical constituents. Swiss albino mice were treated intraperitoneally with the extract at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, while imipramine (15 mg/kg) served as the positive control. Antidepressant activity was assessed using the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, terpenoids/steroids, carbohydrates, and cardiac glycosides. In the TST, the extract significantly reduced immobility time from 134.06 ± 0.03 s (control) to 127.43 ± 0.03 s, 114.27 ± 0.06 s, and 86.04 ± 0.04 s at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, in the FST, immobility time decreased from 148.76 ± 5.6 s (control) to 129.74 ± 4.59 s, 118.56 ± 4.56 s, and 69.25 ± 3.2 s across the same dose range. Imipramine produced marked reductions in immobility (69.22 ± 0.02 s in TST and 38.31 ± 3.5 s in FST). These findings demonstrate a clear dose-dependent antidepressant-like effect of Pancratium maritimum bulb ethanol extract, likely mediated by its rich phytochemical profile