EVALUATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF OCIMUM SANCTUM (TULSI) LEAF IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS AFTER SUB-ACUTE ADMINISTRATION
Sumina S., Kingshuk Lahon*, Johan Pandian and Manimekalai K.
ABSTRACT
Background: Allopathic antidepressants are ineffective in many patients causing treatment failure and addition of adjuvant and/or substitutions. Moreover, they have adverse effects causing decreased compliance. Hence there is potential for effective herbal alternatives with fewer adverse effects like Ocimum sanctum. Aim: To evaluate the antidepressant activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum after subacute administration. Materials and Methods: 24 wistar albino rats of either sex were randomly divided into four groups (n=6) and administered normal saline, Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract (OSEE), Fluoxetine and OSEE + half dose Fluoxetine respectively for 30 days. Forced swim test (FST) and modified tail suspension test (TST) for depression were performed on days 1, 7, 15 and 30. Results were expressed as Mean ± SEM. One way ANOVA (P<0.05 regarded as significant at 95% C.I.), followed by Tukey’s post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Animals receiving OSEE and OSEE + half dose Fluoxetine demonstrated significant antidepressant effect by reduction in the duration of immobility in FST and TST on days 7, 15, 30, but not on day 1. The combination showed antidepressant effect which was comparable to that of full dose of fluoxetine. Conclusion: OSEE alone and its combination with half dose standard drug fluoxetine showed significant antidepressant activity with the combination demonstrating activity comparable to that of full dose standard drug on sub-acute administration.
Keywords: Sub-acute, Antidepressant, Ocimum sanctum, Albino Rats.
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