Depression is a common, delibilitating, lifethreatning illness with a high incidence. Numerous antidepressant compounds are now available, which presumably act via different mechanisms involving the serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. Mucuna pruriens a popular Indian medicinal plant is pharmacologically studied for its antidiabetic, aphrodisiac, antineoplastic and neuroprotective activities has also significantly restored the endogenous levodopa, dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin content in substantia nigra. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible antidepressant effect of Mucuna pruriens in mice using various behavioural models of depression. Male albino mice weighing 18-25 g were randomly divided into groups of 6 animals each. Alcoholic extract of Mucuna pruriens at a dose range from 600-1200 mg/kg once a day was administered per orally for 14 days to mice. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and forced swim test procedures were used for induction of experimental depression. Dose of 1200 mg/kg of alcoholic extract for 2 weeks significantly (p<0.001) showed antidepressant effect and was comparable with standard fluoxetine hydrochloride in forced swim test and mild stress model of depression. The observed effects of alcoholic extract of Mucuna pruriens not only confirm the antidepressant like effect in forced swim test, but also validated the improving effects of alcoholic extract of Mucuna pruriens on the depression-like symptoms in the chronic unpredictable mild stress model and thus may be worthwhile to utilize it as a potential antidepressant.
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