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.

Keywords
Cyperus rotundus, Antidepressant, Tail suspension test, Forced swimming test, Monoamine oxidase, Fluoxetine