Forced swim test

Depression is a complex but treatable disorder if diagnosed appropriately. However, despite of vast research and the advances in the understanding of molecular basis of this disorder and the vast range of medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy, very safe and effective drug  to treat this disease is being sought. The present study was undertaken to investigate effect of aqueous suspension of Ferula foetida on antidepressant activity of venlafaxine in rodants. First observations were taken for antidepressant activity of venlafaxine by using forced swimming test and tail suspension test model in mice by using the dose of 4mg/kg i.p. A combination of Ferula foetida suspension and venlafaxine were used in mice with the same dose and observations were taken.  In forced swim test and in tail suspension test it showed the potentiation of effect. Combination also increased the locomotor activity. Ferula foetida thus shows the antidepressant activity which potentiates the effect of venlafaxine in mice, thus supporting the folk medicinal use of this plant in nervous disorders. 

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