Evaluasi Pengaruh Suspensi dan Nanosuspensi Ekstrak Etanol Biji Pinang (Areca catechu L.) terhadap Perilaku Imobilitas Mencit

Debi Angraini (Universitas Muslim Nusantara Al-Washliyah)
Gabena Indrayani Dalimunthe (Universitas Muslim Nusantara Al Washliyah)
Zulmai Rani (Universitas Muslim Nusantara Al Washliyah)
Haris Munandar Nasution (Universitas Muslim Nusantara Al Washliyah)

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Sciences.
JPS Volume 9 Nomor 4 (2026)

Introduction: Depression remains a major public health concern, highlighting the need for rigorous preclinical evaluation of pharmacologically active natural products. This study investigated the effects of areca nut (Areca catechu L.) ethanol extract, formulated as conventional suspensions and nanosuspensions, on immobility duration in male mice subjected to the forced swimming test (FST). Methods: The extract was prepared by maceration with 96% ethanol and incorporated into formulations containing 0.5%, 0.75%, or 1% extract. Results: Particle sizes of nanosuspensions F1, F2, and F3 were 373.12, 507.12, and 660.32 nm, respectively. Mean post-treatment immobility durations were 70.3, 29.0, and 20.0 s in the nanosuspension groups and 71.2, 62.1, and 40.3 s in the corresponding suspension groups. A concentration-related decrease in immobility was observed, with the lowest mean value in the 1% nanosuspension group. Discussion: These preliminary behavioral findings warrant further investigation; they neither establish a specific antidepressant mechanism nor demonstrate clinical efficacy or safety