ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION R013, IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODEL

RO13, a poly herbal formulation is indicated for the management of depressive state but there was an absence of substantial pharmacological data. Hence, the present study was attempted to prove the antidepressant property of RO13, in conventional animal models of depression. Albino mice were grouped into four, each group with 6 animals and injected with Normal Saline (control), Imipramine-10mg/kg (Standard drug), RO13 aqueous extract 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg (test drug) orally. The animal groups were subjected to Tail Suspension Test and Force swim test. The results showed that in both Tail suspension test and Force swim test, the aqueous extract of RO13 at dose of 200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced immobility time (p<0.01) in acute studies and further reduced in chronic studies. However, the effect was increased in swimming (P<0.01) and insignificant change in climbing in acute studies and increased in duration of swimming and climbing (P<0.05 &P<0.01) in chronic studies in FST. The aqueous extract of RO13 possesses dose dependent antidepressant effect. Current studies confirm the claimed antidepressant activity in selected doses (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg).