Development of Polyherbal Formulation: Impact of Antioxidants on In Vivo Antidepressant Activity in Animal Models

In Ayurveda, single or multiple herbs are used as medication for various ailments. Depression is often manifesting with various symptoms at the behavioral, psychological and physiological levels. Therefore, the investigation for therapeutic alternative is important. Oxidative stress has shown important biochemical aspects in the depression. This study evaluated effect of natural antioxidant on antidepressant activity of polyherbal formulation on the performance of male mice. Mice were given orally polyherbal formulation without antioxidant and with antioxidant daily for 7 d and then subjected to forced swim test and tail suspension test. After 1 w treatment, both polyherbal formulation significantly reduced immobility time in forced swim test and tail suspension test compared with vehicle treated control group. The immobility time in tail suspension test of polyherbal formulation without antioxidant and with antioxidant was found to be 151.17±4.46 s and 116.33±8.84 s respectively. The immobility time in tail suspension test of polyherbal formulation without antioxidant and with antioxidant was found to be 137.17±5.93 s, 113.50±5.40 s respectively. These results indicate that the antidepressant when given along with antioxidant in mice it gives significant antidepressant effect. The experimental results suggest that the intake of antioxidant may help in reducing the symptoms of depression, via supplementation of antioxidant.