Grapefruit: A potential anxiolytic and antidepressant agent

Citrus paradisi commonly known as grapefruit, is considered valuable for its medicinal properties by various traditional systems of medicine and aromatherapy, but no significant work has been conducted on its anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. In the present study, extracts of leaves of Citrus paradisi var. redblush have been evaluated for their CNS activities. Phytochemical and chromatographic profiles of all the leaf extracts have been prepared. The extracts have been evaluated for anxiolytic activity using elevated plus maze model and for antidepressant activity using forced swimming test in mice. Methanol extract at a dose of 200mg/kg has demonstrated significant anxiolytic activity as compared to diazepam and at dose of 400mg/kg has been observed to show significant antidepressant activity as compared to imipramine. The findings presented here are relevant as they contribute to validate the traditional medicinal uses of this plant. Hence, Citrus paradisi var. redblush could be developed as potential anxiolytic and antidepressant agent and may prove as a good alternative in management of psychiatric illnesses.