Mukta N Chowta

Depression is a heterogeneous disorder that affects a person’s mood, physical health and behaviour. Despite progress in pharmacotherapy, in majority of patients depression goes undiagnosed and untreated. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, mentions a number of single and compound drug formulations of plant origin that are used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Tribulus terrestris (Gokshura) is used in Indian and Chinese system of medicine for treating various male reproductive disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antidepressant potential of acute and chronic administration of Tribulus terrestris in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Inbred Swiss Albino mice weighing 20-30g were used in the study. The vehicle distilled water ( (10ml/kg, p.o), imipramine (20mg/kg, p.o) and Tribulus terrestris  (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg, p.o. respectively) were administered 1hour prior to acute study. In chronic study, all drugs were given once a day for 10 days and the last dose was given 1hour before the experiment. Duration of immobility was noted in both the models. In our study, both imipramine and Tribulus terrestris significantly reduced the duration of immobility in both experimental models as compared to the animals in the control group. The antidepressant activity of Tribulus terrestris was comparable to that of standard drug imipramine. The results of the present study showed significant antidepressant activity of Tribulus terrestrisin animal models of depression

Depression is an affective disorder characterized mainly by change in mood and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A number of drugs are used for treatment but their adverse effects compromise the therapeutic effects. Thus search for an agent with minimal adverse effects and maximum therapeutic benefit is going on.  In Asia, Camellia sinensis (CS) popularly known as green tea is widely used as a beverage and has been reported to have antioxidant property.On this basis, the present study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant activity of Camellia sinensis on albino mice. The antidepressant effect of Camellia sinensis was examined using two behavioral models, the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in albino mice. The effect ofethanolicextract of Camellia sinensisin three different doses (3.3, 16.5 and 33mg/kg) was compared with the standard antidepressant, imipramine (10mg/kg).  Antidepressant effect was studied both on acute and chronic administration (14 days) of Camellia sinensis. Acute and chronic treatment with Camellia sinensis reduced duration of immobility in FST in a dose dependent manner. In TST acute treatment with Camellia sinensis reduced duration of immobility at 3.3 & 16.5 mg/kg; whereas on chronic treatment CS reduced duration of immobility at 3.3 & 33 mg/kg. Acute & chronic treatment with Camellia sinensis produced antidepressant effect in both FST & TST models of depression in mice.