The effects of antidepressant treatments have traditionally been discussed primarily in terms of effects on noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. Mucuna Pruriens Linn. (D.C) (Leguminoseae) has several therapeutic applications in folk medicine in curing or managing a wide range of nervous disorders including Parkinsonism. Based on nervous protective actions of Mucuna Pruriens seeds, investigation of noradrenaline and serotonin mediated antidepressant action of 21 days treatment of hydroalcoholic extract of the Mucuna Pruriens seeds (MPE) (200 mg/kg, p.o) was carried out using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) test in mice. Further, the effect of riboxetine (1 mg/kg, i.p.; a noradrenergic agonist), prazocin (62.5 µg/kg, i.p.; an α1 adrenergic antagonist), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i.p.; a serotonin agonist) and p-chlorophenyl alanine (100 mg/kg, i.p.; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) on antidepressant like action of MPE was also studied in this test. Antidepressant action of MPE was indicated by significant reversal of stressors induced reduction of sucrose intake in mice. This antidepressant action of MPE was significantly reduced by prazocin and enhanced by riboxetine in the CUMS test. Further, antidepressant action of MPE was significantly reduced by p-chlorophenyl alanine and enhanced by fluoxetine in the CUMS test. The results of the present study provide scientific evidences for the involvement of noradrenergic and serotonergic system in the antidepressant like effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Mucuna Pruriens seeds.
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