Antidepressant and antihemolytic activities of Vicia sojakii.
OBJECTIVE
Many pharmacological activities have been reported in Vicia (V.) genus. The aim of present study was to investigate antidepressant and antihemolytic activities of aerial parts of V. sojakii.


METHODS
Antidepressant activity of methanolic extract was evaluated by forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST) in male Swiss albino mice. Antihemolytic effect of extract was also determined.


RESULTS
Extract showed good antidepressant activity in both FST and TST. It shortened remarkably the immobility period in FST and TST and exhibited a dose dependent activity. Extract in 125 mg kg(-1) showed significant activity as compared to control (p < 0.05) in both test. Extract at 1500 mg kg(-1) showed the same activity of imipramine 15 mg kg(-1) (p > 0.05) in FST. Extract show good antihemolytic activity against H2O2 induced hemolysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our report indicated the V. sojakii aerial parts extract was safe and showed remarkable antidepressant activity in FST and TST in mice. It also exhibited good antihemolytic activity. These results introduced V. sojakii as an easily accessible source of natural antidepressant.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. zadeh20@yahoo.com.
M A
MA
Ebrahimzadeh
S M
SM
Nabavi
S F
SF
Nabavi
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013550:Swimming; D031306:Vicia
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide