title: Antidepressant activity of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera in experimental models of depression in rats.
abstract: Bacopa monniera Wettst. (syn. Herpestis monniera L.; Scrophulariaceae) is a commonly used Ayurvedic drug for mental disorders. The standardized extract was reported earlier to have significant anti-oxidant effect, anxiolytic activity and improve memory retention in Alzheimer's disease. Presently, the standardized methanolic extract of Bacopa monniera (bacoside A - 38.0+/-0.9) was investigated for potential antidepressant activity in rodent models of depression. The effect was compared with the standard antidepressant drug imipramine (15 mg/kg, ip). The extract when given in the dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg, orally once daily for 5 days was found to have significant antidepressant activity in forced swim and learned helplessness models of depression and was comparable to that of imipramine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sairam
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorababu
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D034681:Bacopa; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007099:Imipramine