Neuropharmacological Activities of Abies pindrow Aerial Parts in Mice

The methanol extract (200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and ethyl acetate fraction (25 or 50 mg/kg, p.o.) of A. pindrow aerial parts were screened for anticonvulsant, antidepressant, locomotor, hypnotic and antistress activities. The methanol extract (ME) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) could not reduce duration of MES-induced tonic extensor phase with respect to the standard drug, phenytoin (20 mg/kg, i.p.). Both ME and EAF showed significant reduction of time spent in immobile state in forced swim test and did not stimulate locomotion in an open field model, thereby confirming their specific antidepressant activity. In cold swim test, ME and EAF showed antistress activity comparable to diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). None of the test doses of ME and EAF could significantly increase duration of sleep in mice as compared to the control group. Phytochemical screening of ME and EAF showed presence of flavonoids as major class of phytoconstituents.