ABSTRACT

Datura stramonium is a member of the Solanaceae family, which includes all nightshades and agricultural plants and is found throughout North America's Southwest, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Datura stramonium has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a variety of ailments such as ulcers, injuries and inflammation, fever, asthma, pain, and bronchitis. The antidepressant drug Amitriptyline was used to evaluate the antidepressant properties of the entire plant parts of Datura stramonium. The phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity test were carried out on the extract using standard procedures. To evaluate antidepressant properties forced swim test and a tail suspension test were used.The result obtained from phytochemistry study revealed the presence of glycosides, carbohydrates, saponin, flavonoid, phenolics, eugenols, terpenes, reducing sugar and alkaloids, while the acute toxicity test showed that there was no toxicity observed at a concentration of 100 mg/kg.The antidepressant study revealed a significant reduction in immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests, indicating anti-depressant activity of the extract at doses of 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg. It is concluded the phytochemical compounds present in Datura stramonium can inhibit depression and possesses antidepressant properties.