Seema Rai

Mucuna pruriens commonly known as cowhage plant has been claimed to possess various beneficial effects like anti-parkinsonian, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and antidepressant activities. Previous studies have reported that Mucuna pruriens contains L-DOPA and 5-hydroxy tryptophan (5-HT) as a major constituent with higher concentration in seeds. However, literature search revealed no scientific data on its anxiolytic activity. So the present study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of Mucuna pruriens in a murine model. Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups (n=6). Mucuna pruriens administered at doses of 250,500,750mg/kg/day orally, was compared with the standard drug Diazepam (1.0mg/kg/day, oral) fed for 14 days. Three pharmacologically validated models elevated plus maze, bright and dark arena and open field test were used. The data presented was analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test. A value of p

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