1) The study evaluated the antidepressant activity of the ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) leaves in mice. 2) In the forced swim test, Ocimum sanctum showed significant antidepressant activity at a dose of 8.5 mg/kg compared to the control. 3) The study indicates the potential antidepressant-like effects of Ocimum sanctum, though the exact mechanism is still unknown. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of action.

1. ANTI-DEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF OCIMUM SANCTUM IN MICE Akshaya Alva, Seema Y, Durga Pillai, Vishnu Raj, P.Sudhakar, H.N.Gopalakrishna, M.R.S.M Pai. Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore

2. INTRODUCTION Depression is a mental state characterized by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement. Depression ranges from normal feelings of the blues through dysthymia to major depression . Prevalence rate : Prevalence of depression alone was at 3.2%. In conditions like diabetes mellitus – 2%, angina pectoris – 4.5%

3. OCIMUM SANCTUM (OS) Family: Labiatae Common name : tulsi Chemical constituents: Ethonolic leaf extract of OS contains 2.5% Ursolic acid (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant). Besides this it contains alkaloid, glycosides & tannins, ascorbic acid & carotene, flavanoids (orientin, vicenin) and eugenol, cirsilineol, apigenin.

5. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the antidepressant activity of acute administration of ocimum sanctum in mice

6. ANIMALS:– Adult Albino mice (Swiss strain) weighing 25-30 grams. Maintained under standard conditions. Drugs :- Vehicle - 1% gum acacia Standard drug – Imipramine Test drug – Ocimum sanctum dry powder was supplied by M/s Natural Remedies, Bangalore, India). The study was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. MATERIALS AND METHODS

7. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Table 1: Drug treatment All the drugs were given 1 hr prior to the experiment 10.0 mg/kg P.O Imipramine 5 8.50 mg/kg P.O OS 4 4.25 mg/kg P.O OS 3 1.75 mg/kg P.O OS 2 10.0 ml/kg P.O Control (gum acacia) 1 DOSE Route of administration Treatment Groups (n=6)

10. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS All the results were expressed as mean ± Standard error (SEM). Analyzed by using one-way ANOVA, followed by Dunnett’s t- test. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant .

11. RESULTS Table 2: Effect of Ocimum sanctum on immobility period in forced swim test. All values are expressed as mean ± SEM * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01 62.33 ± 12** 10 mg/kg Imipramine 5 95 ± 2.51* 8.5 mg/kg OS 4 104.5 ± 1.8 4.25 mg/kg OS 3 113 ± 3.90 1.75 mg/kg OS 2 120 ± 3.94 10 ml/kg Control 1 IMMOBILITY TIME [sec] (MEAN ± SEM) DOSE TREATMENT GROUP (n=6)

12. RESULTS Table 3: Effect of Ocimum sanctum on immobility period in tail suspension test . All values are expressed in mean ± SEM **P < 0.01 187.00 ± 16.68** 10 mg/kg Imipramine 5 225.00 ± 2.76 8.5 mg/kg OS 4 237.17 ± 5.91 4.25 mg/kg OS 3 239.5 ± 4.90 1.75 mg/kg OS 2 247.17 ± 2.91 10 ml/kg Control 1 IMMOBILITY TIME (sec) MEAN ± SEM DOSE TREATMENT GROUP (n=6)

15. CONCLUSION The present study indicates the possible antidepressant like activity of Ocimum sanctum at a dose of 8.5 mg/kg in mice

17. 4) H.N.Gopalakrishna, R.B.Sangha, N. Misra, M.R.S.M.Pai. Antianxiety activity of NR-ANX-C, a polyherbal preparation in rats. Indian J Pharmacology . 2006; 38(5): 330-335. 5) Dinesh. D, Sharma A. Evaluation of antidepressant-like activity of glycyrrhizin in mice. Indian J Pharmacology 2005;37:390-394.

18. THANK YOU