Evaluation of antidepressant-like activity after acute and chronic administration of aqueous extract of Abelmoschus esculentus seeds using animal models of depression

Abstract

Background: Major depression is a very common mood disorder that leads to disability and impaired social role of the patient, adversely affecting the quality of life and increasing mortality. Although the currently available antidepressant drugs provide symptom relief and clinical improvement, they have delayed onset of action, lack efficacy and also produce numerous adverse drug reactions which further increases morbidity and cause an economic burden to both the patient and the society. Hence, it is imperative to find novel drugs for the treatment of depression. Abelmoschus esculentus, commonly known as Okra or Ladies finger, has attracted prominence in recent years, owing to its wide range of medicinal properties. On these backgrounds, the work has been undertaken to study the antidepressant-like activity of A. esculentus seeds in albino mice. Aim and Objectives: An Objective was to study the antidepressant-like effect after acute and chronic (10 days) administration of aqueous extract of A. esculentus seeds (AEAES) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: Antidepressant-like activity of AEAES was evaluated by Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST). Mice were treated orally 1 hr before with standard drug fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) and AEAES (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Locomotor activity was performed using an actophotometer after different doses of test drug. Results: AEAES produced an antidepressant-like activity in both FST and TST. Immobility duration reduced significantly in both FST and TST at a dose of 200 mg/kg (P < 0.001). Extract had no effect on locomotor activity of mice when tested in actophotometer. Conclusions: Results showed that AEAES produced a significant antidepressant-like effect both in acute and chronic study at a dose of 200 mg/kg. It can be used as adjuvant therapy for depression. Further evaluation on the different mechanisms of action of AEAES needs to be studied in the future.