Effect of Flax seed oil and Ashwagandharishta on various behavioral and pharmacological models of depression in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Abstract Background: Linum usitatissimum Linn., commonly known as flax seed or linseed, is known to be the richest plant source of alpha linoleic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid, whereas Ashwagandharishta, an Ayurvedic classical formulation, is the treatment remedy for Apasmara (epilepsy), Murchha (syncope), and Unmada (psychosis). Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antidepressant effect of flax seed oil and Ashwagandharishta on various behavioral and pharmacological models of depression. Materials and methods: The healthy Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into five groups: (i) Normal control i.e., water control, (ii) vehicle control - Milk control (7.4 mL/kg), (iii) flax seed oil with milk (2.6 mL/kg), (iv) Ashwagandharishta (6.5 mL/kg), and (v) flax seed oil with milk followed by Ashwagandharishta (2.6 mL/kg + 7.4 mL/kg+ 6.5 mL/kg). The antidepressant effect was evaluated using behavioral despair test, anti-reserpine test, and L-DOPA potentiation test. Results: Flax seed oil, when administered with milk as the vehicle was found to be an excellent antidepressant in behavioral model of depression [P < 0.001 [vs. control]; P < 0.05 [vs. milk]] as well as against reserpine-induced depression (P < 0.05). However, it failed to exert a similar effect in the L-DOPA potentiation test. Whereas Ashwagandharishta showed moderate antidepressant activity in behavior despair test (P < 0.05) as well as against reserpine-induced depression (P < 0.01) and failed to exert L-DOPA potentiating effect. Conclusion: Flax seed oil and Ashwagandharishta exhibit a significant antidepressant effect in various behavioral and pharmacological models of depression in Swiss albino mice.