Valerian and Hops Combination Versus Escitalopram in Models of Depression and Anxiety: A Cross-talk with Oxidative Stress

Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problems associated with oxidative stress. Although famous for its anxiolytic effect, antidepressant effect of valerian-hops combination was not previously studied, also relationship between sedative stress markers is unclear. The current research has two objectives: (1) to compare escitalopram (2) evaluate sedative/anxiolytic effects in relation namely Nitric Oxide (NOx), inducible Synthase (iNOS) Super Dismutase (SOD). Two models were employed using BALB/c mice: A normal condition depression model which mice divided into: control, valerian-hops-treated (100mg/kg), escitalopram-treated (10mg/kg) groups one hour before open field test, elevated plus-maze forced swim test an unstressed naïve, control (stressed), valerian/hops (10 mg/kg) treated three weeks; acutely restrained 6 hours sacrificed, serum obtained detect NOx, iNOS SOD activity. In model, demonstrated activity similar (p>0.05). a profound all behavior paradigms (p<0.05), normalized anxiety-induced NOx levels (p<0.05). Under conditions, exerts while stress/anxiety conditions it antioxidant effects.