Pharmacological Evaluation of Antidepressant-like Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ixora coccinea Flowers Using Standard Behavioural Despair Murine Models in Mice

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Ixora coccinea flowers in mice using behavioral models such as the Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST). Adult mice were divided into different groups and treated with either standard antidepressant drugs (citalopram and desipramine) or graded doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) of the plant extract. Immobility time was recorded to assess behavioral despair, a hallmark of depressive-like states in rodents. Citalopram and desipramine significantly reduced immobility time in both models, validating the sensitivity of the test paradigms. Ixora coccinea extract showed a dose-dependent reduction in immobility time, with the highest dose (40 mg/kg) producing a statistically significant effect comparable to standard drugs (p < 0.05). Lower doses did not produce meaningful behavioral changes. These results suggest that the extract exhibits promising antidepressant-like activity, likely due to the presence of phytoconstituents such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds. This study supports the traditional use of Ixora coccinea in mood disorders and highlights its potential as a natural therapeutic alternative. Further mechanistic and chronic studies are recommended to explore the underlying pathways and long-term efficacy.