ABSTRACT:
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antidepressant activity of methanolic extract for the rhizomes of Rhodiola rhodantha. Depression is the most common feature and it may range from a very mild condition to even severe depression which is called as psychotic depression. In the traditional systems of medicine many plants and formulations have been used to treat depression for thousands of years. The present study was undertaken to assess the antidepressant effect of crude methanolic extract of Rhodiola rhodantha at doses 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg using parameters forced induced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST). Significant dose dependent decline in immobility time was observed in all the three doses in FST and TST and the extract showed dose-dependent relation of immobility reduction in mice. In order to understand the probable mechanism of antidepressant-like activity in FST and TST, the levels of 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid in urine was taken as basis for biochemical assessment of anti depressant activity. The antidepressant activity of extract was comparable to that of standard drug imipramine. The results of the present study indicate the potential for use of RRMS as an adjuvant in the treatment of depression.