ANTIDEPRESSANT-LIKE ACTIVITY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF AGARICUS BLAZEI MURRILL IN STRESSED AND UNSTRESSED MICE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the antidepressant activity of Agaricus blazei Murrill in stressed and unstressed swiss albino mice. Antidepressant activity was evaluated by consecutive oral administration of two doses i.e. (273 mg/kg and 819 mg/kg) of hydroalcoholic extract of Agaricus blazei Murrill. Mice were immobilized to induce stress. Fluoxetine 20 mg/kg orally was given to stressed and unstressed animals and immobility time was noted by using forced swim test and tail suspension test. The concentration of plasma nitrite was also evaluated in stressed and unstressed mice. The effect of prazosin (a1-adrenoceptor antagonist), p-CPA (parachlorophenylalanine – tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor) and 7-nitroindazole (nNOS inhibitor) on the antidepressant activity of Agaricus blazei Murrill was also evaluated. Agaricus blazei Murrill (273 mg/kg, 819 mg/kg, and fluoxetine 20 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in stressed and unstressed mice, showing significant antidepressant activity. No substantial change was found in the locomotor activity. However, significant reduction in the level of plasma nitrite was also noted in stressed mice. Hydroalcoholic extract of Agaricus blazei Murrill showed prominent antidepressant activity in mice.

Keywords

• Agaricus blazei
• Forced swim test
• Tail suspension test