Screening Method of Butterfly Pea Flower Extract as a Candidate for Antidepressant Drugs

Abstract

This invention aims to obtain a dose of Clitoria ternatea flower petal extract that has an antidepressant effect using an animal model of depression. This study includes the creation of an animal model of depression and determining the dose of Clitoria ternatea flower petal extract to relieve depressive symptoms that arise due to social stress by observing depression markers in the animal model. Experimental mice (C57BL / 6) were made chronically stressed by placing them in the same cage with larger BALB / c resident mice, so that the BALB / c mice would attack the C57BL / 6 mice. This social defeat was induced twice daily for five days. Clitoria ternatea flower petal extract was administered orally to the C57BL / 6 mouse model experiencing depression, with three levels of dose concentration, namely 100 (low), 200 (medium), and 400 (high) mg / Kg body weight of mice.The results showed that administering butterfly pea flower petal extract improved social interaction in depressed C57BL / 6 mice by 80-85% and reduced depression markers by 80%. It is hoped that this discovery can serve as a reference for traditional medicinal ingredients using local plant materials that have antidepressant activity.