Evaluation of Antidepressant effect of Cymbopogon Citratus (Lemon Grass) in Albino Mice

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common psychiatric disorder. Pharmacotherapy is the most effective intervention in the management of major depressive disorder. Antidepressants are associated with many adverse effects. Since ancient times various herbal products have been tried for the management of mental disorders. The advantages of the herbal remedies are safety, cost effectiveness and acceptability with traditional values. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antidepressant activity of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) in albino mice and to compare with imipramine by tail suspension test. METHODS: 30 adult male albino mice weighing about 25 – 30 grams were selected from Central Animal House, Madurai Medical College, Madurai. The animals were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals in each group. Group I (Control) received normal feed and water. Group II (Standard) received Tab. Imipramine 20 mg/kg orally. Group III (Test-1) received aqueous extract of C. citratus 5mg/kg orally. Group IV (Test-2) received aqueous extract of C. citratus 10mg/kg orally. Group V (Test-3) received aqueous extract of C. citratus 10mg/kg and Tab. Imipramine 10mg/kg orally. Drugs were administered once daily in the morning, for a period of 15 days. By tail suspension test, the duration of immobility was observed in all groups of mice on 1st, 8th, 15th days. RESULTS: Mean immobility period was subjected to one way ANOVA and post hoc – Tukey’s test. On day 1, there was a significant increase in the immobility period in the standard and the three test groups when compared to the control group. On day 8, the mean immobility period showed a significant decrease all the three test and standard groups when compared to the control group. On day 15, the mean immobility time showed that there was a highly significant difference in the standard and the three test groups (p ≤ 0.01**) when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) has a significant antidepressant activity comparable to that of imipramine