EVALUATION OF THE ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF BACOPA MONIERI IN MICE

Bacopamonnieri L. Pennell (family: Sclorphulariaceae) is a reputed drug of Ayurveda. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidepressant activity of alcoholic extract of B. monnieri was studied at doses of 40 mg / kg and 80 mg / kg against TST and FST mice model of depression. Dose dependent reductions in immobility time were observed in TST and FST mice model of depression. The results showed that the alcoholic extract decreased immobility time with the increase swimming time. Ethanolic extract (40, 80 mg / kg, p.o.) (P<0.01) significantly reduced the immobility time by   10 and 15 seconds as compared to the immobility time of control in both the screening models.  Imipramine at doses of (20 mg/kg, p.o.,) was selected as reference standard. These results suggested the anti-depression activity of the plant extract. The effect of the extract was 5-20 times less potent than standard imipramine group which was used as a standard. It may be concluded that the alcoholic extract of B. monnieri produces an antidepressant like effects that seem to be antidepressant. Therefore, B. monnieri may be served as a potential resource for natural psychotherapeutic agent against depression. The findings from the present investigation indicate the extract has significant antistress as shown by its effects on different experimentally induced animal models.