Home| Journals | Statistics Online Expert | About Us | Contact Us

[Abstract] [PDF] [HTML] [Linked References]

International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2013 pp 290-294

Research Article

Evaluation of Antidepressant like Activity of Aqueous Extract of Fruits of Emblica officinalis (Amla) in Albino Mice

 Nagapati Prabhakar Bhat¹, Parashivamurthy B. M.²

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical sciences, B. G. Nagar, Karnataka-571448 INDIA.

Academic Editor : Dr. Aher K.R.

Introduction: Depression is a disorder of the brain. There are a variety of causes, including genetic, environmental, psychological and biochemical factors. Currently, the available anti-depressant agents are associated with unwanted side effects and have their own limitations. An increasing number of herbal products have been introduced into psychiatric practice, as alternative or complementary medicines. The added advantages of indigenous medicinal treatment would include its complementary nature to the conventional treatment making latter safer, well tolerated and economical remedy for depressive disorders. Aim: To evaluate the antidepressant activity of amla (Emblica officinalis) in albino mice and compare it with imipramine. Method: Swiss albino mice weighing around 20 g – 40 g of either sex were divided into five treatment groups and orally administered with gum acacia (control), imipramine 15mg/kg (standard), amla 2mg/kg and 4mg/kg (test drugs) and combination of imipramine and amla. Total of 60 animals were used. Each group contained 6 animals. Duration of immobility was observed for 4 minutes of total 6 minutes period in tail suspension test and in forced swimming test on separate set of animals on 1^st day, 8^th day and 15^th day. Study Design: animal study in mice using two animal models - Tail suspension test and Forced swimming test. Results: Results were analyzed by factorial repeated measure ANOVA and multivariate statistical tests. Amla at the above doses significantly reduced the immobility time in both the tests compared to control (p < 0.05). The reduction in duration of immobility at the dose of 4mg/kg was comparable to imipramine. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of fruits of amla (Emblica officinalis) has significant antidepressant activity in animal models of depression.