Antidepressant Activity of Nardostachys jatamansi Extract in Animal Models of Depression

Background: Depression refers to a wide range of mental health problems characterized by the loss of interest in routine activities, low mood and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral symptoms. It is one of the major causes of mortality as tendency of suicidal attacks are exhibited in these patients. The diagnosis of depressive patients is very complicated in many cases and they do not respond to rational clinical prescription. In traditional medicine, Nardostachys jatamansi has been used as stimulant, antispasmodic, laxative and antiepileptic in ayurvedic and unani systems of medicine. The objective of our study was to evaluate and compare the antidepressant activity of N. jatamansi extract with fluoxetine in animal models of depression.

Methodology: It was a preclinical experimental study in which Total 100 BALB/c mice divide into 14 groups i.e. Group 1 & 2 control 0.9% NaCl i.p for forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) respectively, Group 3 & 4 Fluoxetine 0.5 mg/kg i.p for FST and TST respectively, Group 5, 6 & 7 of N. jatamansi 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively for FST, Group 8, 9 & 10 N. jatamansi 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively for TST, Group 11 N. jatamansi (most effective dose) for Locomotor Test, Group 12 NaCl 0.9% for Yohimbine Potentiation Test (YPT), Group 13 Fluoxetine 0.5 mg/kg for YPT and Group 14 Received extract of N. jatamansi (most effective dose) for YPT. Antidepressant activity of N. jatamansi extract at different doses after induction of depression via FST and TST was recorded. Moreover the antidepressant effect was confirmed by locomotor test. YPT was also applied to comment on possible underlying mechanism.

Results: In our study 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses of N. jatamansi showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and 500 mg/kg showed significant reduction as compared to group given fluoxetine in FST model. All the groups in TST model showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and fluoxetine given group. N. jatamansi at the dose of 500 mg/kg was found to be most effective in both the models. No significant change in locomotor activity was found in locomotor test. The percentage mortality of 50% was observed in N. jatamansi group using yohimbine potentiation test.

Conclusion: In our study Nardostachys jatamansi showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and fluoxetine.