Tail suspension test

To investigate the antidepressant Activity of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Musa x paradisiaca Linn This study was undertaken to evaluate the possible antidepressant effect of Musa x paradisiaca Linn leaf extract (MPLE) on different extracts like chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts using Tail Suspension Test (TST) & Forced Swim Test (FST). 48 albino rats of either sex weighing between 180-220gm were randomly selected and divided into 8 equal groups. Group-I (control) received normal saline (1ml/100gm), Group- IV , V, VI, VII, VIII and IX received CEMPL (Chloroform Extract Musa x paradisiaca Linn) , MEMPL (Methanol  Extract Musa x paradisiaca Linn) and AEMPL (Aqueous Extract Musa x paradisiaca Linn) in doses of   200 and 400 mg/kg orally (P.O.) respectively. Group II & III (positive control) received Fluoxetine & Imipramine at doses of 20mg/kg & 15mg/kg P. O. respectively. Drug treatment was given for seven & fourteen successive day. 60 minutes after last dose of drug or standard the immobility period was recorded. The test compounds like crude methanolic extract at 200, 400 and 500 mg/ kg produced significant antidepressant like effect.  The efficacy of EALE at 200mg/kg was found to be comparable to that of Fluoxetine & Imipramine at doses of 20mg/kg & 15mg/kg.. The results revealed that the crude methanolic extract produces remarkable antidepressant activity by possessing the active compounds such as flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids and saponins.

Dalbergia sissoo (family: Fabaceae) is an Asian deciduous rosewood tree. It is the state tree of Punjab state (India) called as Shisham used for antipyretic, emesis, ulcers, leucoderma, stomach troubles and skin disease, memory enhancer etc. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antidepressant activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of Dalbergia sissoo in mice. The animals were divided into five groups of 6 each. Group I was considered as normal control, II as Standard control (Imipramine), III, IV and V was treated group (ethanolic leaf extracts of Dalbergia sissoo 300, 450 and 600 mg/kg respectively). The animals were acclimatized for behavioral tests like Tail suspension test and Forced swim Test. In behavioral model of depression Tail suspension test and Forced swim Test, ethanolic leaf extracts of Dalbergia sissoo decreased the immobility time significantly and increase in the first latency in dose dependent manner. The findings in the behavioral model of depression showed significant effect was due to the monoamine theory of depression.

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