Peppermint (Mentha piperita) as Antidepressant on Male Wistar Rat (Rattus norvegicus) Exposed to Blue Light

Abstract

LED light contain blue light and exposure to blue lights at night may cause physiological disruption to organism such as stress and depression. Depression are normally treated with antidepressant drugs that can lead to side effect. Therefore, natural ingredients can be used as an alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the activity of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) as an antidepressant agent in decreasing stress behavior of rats showed by its immobility time. Seventy five male wistar rats with 250-300 g average weight were divided into 5 groups and treated, as follows: (1) non-stressed, (2) blue light + aquades, (3) blue light + mint extract 140 mg / kg, (4) blue light + mint extract 28 mg / kg, and (5) blue light + fluoxetine (antidepressant drug) 14 mg / kg. Blue light exposure was given for 7 days with various fotoperiode, ie 12 bright / 12 dark, 18 bright / 6 dark, and 24 bright / 0 dark. At the end of treatments, all rat were assigned on FST test for immobility time measurements. Blue light exposure for 18 and 24 hours appear to cause depression-like symptomps. The Peppermint extract (140 mg/kg and 280 mg/kg) showed a significant antidepressant-like effect in the immobility and swimming time on FST. The results were almost similar with the result obtained for fluoxetine administration. Therefore, it can be concluded that Mentha piperita is potentially to act as antidepressant as shown by decreasing the rat’s immobility time and increasing swimming time on FST.