EVALUATIO OF A XIOLYTIC A D A TIDEPRESSA T ACTIVITIES OF MAJORA A HORTE SIS

At present, anxiety and depression are the most frequent psychiatric conditions commonly found. The search for novel pharmacotherapy from herbal plants for psychiatric illnesses has significantly progressed. The present study was performed to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant like activities of the Majorana hortensis extract. The alcohol extract of this plant at various doses ranging from 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg were administered once in a day for 7 days and Diazepam (2mg/kg, P.O) was used as a positive control. The anxiolytic and antidepressant activities were performed after both single and repetitive treatment for 7 days using elevated plus maze and forced swimming tests respectively. The results showed that the extract decreased immobility time with the increase swimming time. However, no changes in number of open arm entries and time spent in open arm were observed. These results suggested the anti-depression activity of the plant extract. Therefore, Majorana hortensis may be served as a potential resource for natural psychotherapeutic agent against depression.

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