A Study on Antidepressant Activity of Medha gulika-a Polyherbal Formulation in Experimental Animal Models

According to WHO, depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness and poor concentration. The objective of the proposed study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of poly herbal formulation Medhagulika on Depression in different animal models. Evaluation of antidepressant activity was done by using 3 doses of Medhagulika (53.85, 102.77 and 154.16mg/kg) in vivo models. Animals treated with all three doses of Medhagulika witnessed a decrease in their immobility times in FST and TST which was significant when compared with control. Similarly, animals treated with imipramine (15mg/kg), as expected showed a significant decrease in the immobility time. In learned Helplessness Test, The Medhagulika treated mices showed significant increase in avoidance response and decreased in escape failure in response to shock treatment. Open field test utilizes behavioural changes in rodent exposed to novel environments and is used to confirm the observed antidepressant effect is not due to stimulation of general motor activity.