Silymarin: a Flavolignan with Antidepressant Activity

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Silymarin (a flavolignan) in experimental model of depression. Silymarin was administered in 3 doses (150, 200, 250 mg/kg; i.p.) to male Swiss mice (25-30 g) for 15 days daily. On 15 th day immobility time was determined using Forced swim test (FST). The two effective doses of Silymarin (200 and 250 mg/kg) from FST study were selected, and explored for their mechanism of action against reserpine-induced depression model. The behavioural parameters such as catalepsy, ptosis and hypothermia were estimated. These behavioural deficits were further, integrated with biogenic amine (brain nor-epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin) and oxidative stress (brain TBARS and GSH) parameters. Silymarin significantly ameliorated the depression by restoring behavioural, biochemical and neurochemical alterations against reserpine-induced depression.