ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI IN ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATED MICE

Electron beam radiation, a form of Ionizing radiation has an important role in diagnosing and treatment of many diseases. But the deposition of this energy in tissues results in damage to DNA and eradicates the cell’s ability to replicate indefinitely. During the past few years due to their widespread use in hospitals, concern regarding the hazardous effect of electron beam radiation has developed. This pre-clinical work was designed to test the antidepressant activity of Nardostachys jatamansi ethanolic root extract on whole body electron beam radiation induced depression in Swiss albino mice, using established models for depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate antidepressant effect of Nardostachys jatamansi ethanolic root extract in electron beam irradiated mice. Nardostachys jatamansi ethanolic root extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg, orally was administered in electron beam radiated mice for screening its antidepressant effect using two validated experimental models for depression i.e., Forced Swimming Test and Tail Suspension Test. The duration of immobility (in seconds) was noted in both the tests. The electron beam radiated mice treated with Nardostachys jatamansi ethanolic root extract has shown a significant reduction in the duration of immobility (in seconds) in both the tests on comparing with non treated electron beam radiated mice. The data suggest that exposure to low levels of electron beam radiation can cause depression, which can be abolished by the administration of Nardostachys jatamansi ethanolic root extract.