Determination of antidepressant activity of Cyperus rotundus L extract in rats

Purpose: To investigate the antidepressant effect of Cyperus rotundus L. extract (CRLE) in rats. Methods: A rat model of depression was prepared for behavioral tests including tail suspension test or forced swimming test. Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): normal group (0.9 % NaCl), model group (0.9 % NaCl), positive drug group (fluoxetine 30 mg/kg) as well as CRLE groups, namely, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg doses. All drugs were orally administered at 14: 00 - 15: 00 h for 1, 7 and 14 days, respectively. Tail suspension and forced swimming tests were conducted 1 h after the last treatment. Monoamine oxidize A (MAO) assay was commenced in rats after 14-day administration. Except for the rats in normal group, other group participated in the behavioral tests. Results: The effect of 800 mg/kg CRLE was more potent than the positive drug fluoxetine. CRLE (= 200 mg/kg) treatment for 14 days significantly inhibited brain MAO activity in rats (p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Oral administration of 800 mg/kg CRLE produced MAO B inhibitory activity in rat brain (p < 0.01). Fluoxetine inhibited both brain MAO A and B activities in rats (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that CRLE produces significant antidepressant effect in rats, and therefore, may be useful for the treatment of depressed patients, but further studies are required to ascertain this.