Citation

Sah SP, Mathela CS, Chopra K. Phytomedicine 2011; 18(14): 1269-1275.

Affiliation

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263136, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Urban & Fischer Verlag)

DOI

10.1016/j.phymed.2011.06.009

PMID

21795033

Abstract

Valeriana wallichii DC (Valerianaceae), popularly named as Indian valerian has been shown to exist as three chemotypes. The present study evaluated the antidepressant like effect of root essential oil of Valeriana wallichii patchouli alcohol chemotype in both acute and chronic treatment study using forced swim test (FST). Mice (n=6 per group) received 10, 20 and 40mg/kg p.o. doses of test drug. Single administration of oil significantly inhibited the immobility period (57.6% and 46.9%) at doses 20 and 40mg/kg respectively without changing the motor function (p<0.05). Similarly, daily administration of essential oil (20mg/kg) for 14 days significantly reduced the immobility period (69.9%) in FST (p<0.05). The neurotransmitter levels in mouse brain were estimated on day 14 after the behavioral study. Significant increase in the level of norepinephrine (29%) and serotonin (19%) (p<0.05) was found at 20mg/kg dose, while no change was observed at 10 and 40mg/kg doses. The antidepressant-like effect of essential oil (20mg/kg) was prevented by pretreatment of mice with l-arginine (750mg/kg i.p.) and sildenafil (5mg/kg i.p). On the contrary, pretreatment of mice with l-NAME (10mg/kg i.p.) or methylene blue (10mg/kg i.p.) potentiated the antidepressant action of essential oil (10mg/kg). Taken together, these findings demonstrated that nitric oxide pathway is involved in mediating antidepressant like effect of essential oil from this chemotype.

Language: en