Comparative Evaluation of Antidepressant Effects of Two Hypericum Species (H. perforatum L. and H. maculatum C) in Swiss Mice
Abstract
H. perforatum L. is widely used for the treatment of mild to moderate forms of depression. The aim of the present study is to compare the antidepressive effect of the H. perforatum to H. maculatum, the most widely spread species from Romania. The powdered aerial parts of vegetal product were extracted with ethanol 70°, minimum content in total hypericins for the medicinal drug were determined by a spectrophotometer method. The experiment was carried out on 15 female Swiss mice, divided in three equal groups, H. perforatum group, H. maculatum group and control. The both extracts were injected 30 minutes before the experiment, 70 mg DS/kg body weight. Forced Swimming Test (FST) was performed by using the classic Porsolt’s method, with minor changes. Both extracts (H. perforatum and H. maculatum) increase the immobility time as compared to control, the difference were distinct statistically significant; so, unexpectedly Hypericum sp. alcoholic extracts provide similar sedative effect
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