Evaluation of Anti-depressant Potential of Marketed Ayurvedic Formulations

Depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and despair. In this study, the antidepressant effects of two Ayurvedic formulations, Aswagandharista, Shankhpuspi syrup were invesigated and compared with standard drug, Fluoxetine in animal models of depression, specifically the Tail Suspension Test (TST) and Forced Swim Test (FST). Swiss Albino mice, weighing 20–25g, were divided into six groups (n=6 per group). Group I animals were treated with vehicle; Group II animals were treated with Standard drug Fluoxetine (10mg/kg); Group III animals were treated with Low Dose Shankhpuspi syrup 1.8ml/kg (LDSP); Group IV were treated with High Dose Shankhpuspi syrup 3.6ml/kg (HDSP); Group V were treated with Low Dose Aswagandharista 2.6ml/kg (LDAG); Group VI were tTreated with High Dose Aswagandharista 5.2 ml/kg (HDAG). All treatments were administered for eight consecutive days. The impact of the formulations on the immobilization time in TST and FST was evaluated. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test, with p<0.01 considered statistically significant.