Testing the Antidepressant Activity of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) In Vitro Using the Forced Swimming Test (FST) Method

Abstract

Antidepressants are a therapy used for depression sufferers with the aim of reducing symptoms, minimizing side effects and returning them to their original condition. Treatment of depression requires safe and effective therapy to prevent severity. Currently, there are many plants that have potential as antidepressants, such as fennel. The method that can be used to evaluate the effect of antidepressants is the forced swimming test (FST). 24 mice were divided into 8 groups and each group was treated with amitriptyline as a positive control, Na-CMC 0.5% as negative control and fennel infusion as test sample. The data obtained consisted of duration of immobility, climbing, and swimming which was then analyzed using SPSS with the one-way ANOVA test. The results of one-way ANOVA test for immobility, climbing, and swimming time showed that sig. values sequencely are 0.03, 0.006, and 0.016 (P< 0.05). It means that immobility, climbing, and swimming time have significant differences between group of control and treatment.