ANTIDEPRESSANT-LIKE ACTIVITY OF SMILAX ZEYLANICA LINN IN BEHAVIORAL DESPAIR TESTS IN MICE

Rasheed Ahemad S.*, Venkataraman S., Fazil Ahmad and Mohammed Ibrahim

ABSTRACT

Background: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-depressive activity of Smilax zeylanica Linn after two weeks administration by using a mouse forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Methods: Animals were divided into 5 groups (n = 6 /group): control (0.9% saline), the three doses of Smilax zeylanica (125, 250, 500 mg/kg) and Imipramine 10mg/kg for two weeks treatment. To assess the antidepressant effect of Smilax zeylanica Linn Forced swimming test (FST) and Tail suspension test (TST) were used to take as a measure of antidepressant activity. The probable mechanism of action of the anti-depressive effect of Smilax zeylanica Linn was also investigated by measuring the levels of monoamines in the cortex, striatum, hippocampus and hypothalamus of the mice and MAO-A inhibition activity. Results: Smilax zeylanica significantly reduced the immobility time of mice in both the FST and TST; it increased the levels of 5-HT in cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, the level of NE in striatum and hippocampus, the level of DOPAC in hypothalamus, the level of 5-HIAA in striatum, and the level of DA in striatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. Conclusions: After two weeks administration, Smilax zeylanica produced antidepressant-like effect. The mechanism of action of anti-depressive effect of Smilax zeylanica seemed to involve an increase of the monoamines levels.

Keywords: Smilax zeylanica, Forced swimming test, Tail suspension test, Antidepressant, Monoamines, MAO-A.