EVALUATION OF SYNERGIC ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI WHEN GIVEN ALONG WITH IMIPRAMINE IN WISTER ALBINO RATS AND SWISS ALBINO MICE

Background: Depression is affecting around 5% of the population. In the traditional systems of medicine, many plants and formulations have been used to treat depression for thousands of years. Objectives: This study evaluated the synergic effect of Hydro-alcoholic extract of Rhizomes of Nordostachys jatamansi DC Per Se with combination with Imipramine in Wistar, albino rats, and swiss albino mice normal groups. Materials and Method: Animals of either sex were selected and randomly divided into a test group. Jatamansi extract 10:1 and imipramine dissolved in distilled water were used. Animals were tested for forced swimming test, tail suspension test, and locomotor after given test drug. Results: Nardostachys jatamansi DC, when given to rats, showed a dose-dependent increase in the number of rotations during forced swimming tests in rats. Nardostachys jatamansi DC, when given to mice dose-dependent statistically significant decrease in immobility time, swimming time, and climbing observed. When given along with a combination of imipraine it shows a statistically significant difference in the result, confirmed that it could have synergistic antidepressant activity. When used for locomotor activity in mice, none of the test drugs significantly increase or decrease the locomotor activity. Conclusion: Jatamansi showed antidepressant-like properties in various tests conducted on rats and mice. It showed a statistically significant result with increasing dose and had a synergic effect when given along with imipramine.