ANTISTRESS POTENTIAL OF GLYCYRRHIZIN IN FORCED SWIM STRESS

ABSTRACT

Stress is an aversive stimulus which perturbs the physiological homeostasis and its impact is reflected on a variety of biological systems. Complex mechanisms contribute to the breakdown in adaptational process resulting in various behavioral and endocrinological changes. Stress involved in the etiopathogenesis of variety of disease such as depression & anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, male impotency, hypertension and ulcerative colitis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and adrenal glands are crucial for the regulation of stress physiology. The activation of the HPA (Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) system due to stress results in secretion of corticotrophin hormone, adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACT), β-endorphin and glucocorticoids into the circulation. Release of ACT in stress stimulates adrenals to increase production of hormones- epinephrine, nor epinephrine and corticosteroids. The current research concludes that Glycyrrhizin at the doses of 100 & 200 mg/kg, p.o. significantly reversed the Behavioral and Biochemical alterations in Forced Swim Test induced stress in mice when compared with Fluoxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, 10mg/kg, i.p.), taken as a standard drug. On the basis of above paradigm we can predict that Glycyrrhizin, the active constituent of Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) shows antistress potential.

Key words: Fluoxetine, Etiopathogenesis, Homeostasis.