Phytochemical Study and Antidepressant Effect of Essential Oil of Apium graveolens L.
Mehrdad Shahrani
Department of Physiology, Medical plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Najmeh Asgharzadeh
Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institue, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Hossein Amini- Khoei
Department of Pharmacology, Medical plants Research Center. Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Zahra Mirzaeian
Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institue, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Ali Ahmadi
Department of Epidemiology, Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Zahra Lori Goeini *
Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical Plants Research Center Basic Health Sciences Institue, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Depression is a common and debilitating disease.The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of Apium graveolens essential oil and its anti-depressant effect in mice and the effect on motor balance, serum and brain antioxidant capacity.
Materials and Methods: 60 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (N=10), Control, reserpine 5 mg/kg IP, reserpine + fluoxetine 20mg/kg, reserpine + essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg). The intervention group received 5 mg/kg reserpine and 18 hours later, essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg). Assessment of depression done with forced swimming and open field tests and motor balance with a Rotarod. Serum and brain antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels were measured.
Results: Reserpin increased the immobilization time in the forced swimming test, the number of motor units in the open field test, serum and brain malondialdehyde and reduced the antioxidant capacity and the motor balance. Fluoxetine and essential oil of Apium graveolens 50 and 75 mg/kg reduced the time of immobilization time, number of motor units, serum and brain malondialdehyde and increased serum and brain antioxidant capacity and motor balance. Apium graveolens essential oil 100 mg/kg increased serum antioxidant capacity and reduced number of motor units.
Conclusion: Chemical compounds of essential oil of Apium graveolens have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regulating of chemical neurotransmitters properties that are known mechanisms of depression.
Keywords: Apium graveolens L, reserpine, forced swimming test, depression, MDA, oxidative stress, mice