Background: Depression is a common psychiatric disorder. Drug therapy is the cornerstone in the management of depression. Anti-depressants are associated with many unwanted side-effects. Thus, various herbal products have been tried. The advantages of herbal treatments include safety, cheap and acceptability due to their traditional values. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-depressant activity of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) in albino mice and to compare with Imipramine. Methods: 30 Swiss albino male mice weighing around 25-30 g were divided into 5 groups (n=6). Group I (Control) mice were given normal feed and water, Group II (Standard) received 20 mg/kg T. Imipramine orally, Group III (Test-1) received 5 mg/kg aqueous extract of C. citratus (lemon grass) orally and Group IV (Test-2) received 10 mg/kg C. citratus (lemon grass) orally, and Group V (Test-3) received both T. Imipramine (10 mg/kg) and C. citratus (10 mg/kg) orally. Duration of immobility was observed for last 4 mins of total 6 mins period in groups 1-5 by tail suspension test on 1st, 8th and 15th day.Results: Duration of immobility recorded in seconds was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test Conclusion: Lemon grass has a significant antidepressant effect. Combined effect of lemon grass at 10 mg/kg and imipramine 10 mg/kg is not synergistic.
Cytogenotoxicity of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf (lemon grass) aqueous extracts in vegetal test systems
