A NATURAL WAY TO KEEP DEPRESSION MILES AWAY

Abstract

‘Depression matters because depressive victims matter’. Tamarindus indica (Caesalpiniaceae), popularly known as Imli, is a perennial evergreen tree with a spreading crown, feathery evergreen foliage and fragrant flowers. Traditionally, Tamarind fruit is used as a digestive, laxative, expectorant, antipyretic and antimalarial agent. In the light of above, the present study was undertaken to test the anti-depressant potential of Tamarindus indica. Tamarindus indica pulp was administered along with diet at various concentrations ranging from 2%-8% w/w orally to Swiss mice, once daily for 14 successive days. The anti- depressant activity was measured using Forced Swim Test and Tail Suspension Test. Tamarindus indica pulp significantly (p<0.01) reduced the despair behavior of mice in Forced swim test and immobility duration in Tail suspension test. The anti-depressant efficacy of Tamarindus indica pulp was found to be comparable to that of fluoxetine (5-HT reuptake inhibitor) and imipramine (Tricyclic anti-depressant). The combination of Tamarindus indica pulp either with sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p.) or prazosin (62.5 μg/kg i.p.) or p-CPA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the enhanced immobility duration in TST model. The reduction in immobility duration produced by Tamarind fruit in the present study reflects its anti-depressant potential. Furthermore, Tamarindus indica pulp inhibited the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme, which metabolizes 5-HT and norepinephrine in brain, thereby elevating 5-HT and norepinephrine levels. These findings suggest that Tamarindus indica pulp possessed useful anti-depressant activity, which needs to be confirmed clinically.