title: Antidepressant effect of Valeriana wallichii patchouli alcohol chemotype in mice: Behavioural and biochemical evidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Valeriana wallichii DC, an ayurvedic traditional medicine has now been shown to exist chemically as three distinct chemotypes. The study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of dichloromethane extract of Valeriana wallichii patchouli alcohol chemotype.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antidepressant effect of dichloromethane extract of Valeriana wallichii (10, 20 and 40mg/kg, p.o.) using forced swim test, was determined in both acute and chronic study. The neurotransmitter levels were estimated in mouse forebrain after two weeks of dosing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Single administration of extract (40mg/kg) significantly inhibited the immobility period in mice (p<0.05). Similarly, chronic administration of extract (20 and 40mg/kg) significantly reduced the immobility period and significantly increased the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in mouse forebrain (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The extract demonstrated antidepressant effect and significantly increased the norepinephrine and dopamine levels in forebrain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand 263136, India.
authors.forename: Sangeeta Pilkhwal
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sah
authors.forename: Chandra S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Mathela
authors.forename: Kanwaljit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chopra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D027343:Rhizome; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014632:Valerian / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002395:Catecholamines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C052983:patchouli alcohol; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine