Nardostachys Jatamansi Experiment Report

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Antidepressant activity was assayed using tail suspension test and forced swim test and an antipsychotic model was assayed in Amphetamine stereotype in mice.
Plant materials
The plant material Nardostachys jatamansi was procured from Country drug shop, Parrys Corner, Chennai. After collection, plant material was identified and authenticated by the botanist, Government Siddha Medical College, Arumbakkam, Chennai. A specimen sample was deposited at herbarium for future reference. The roots were washed and disinfected. They were dried in a shady ventilated room. After complete drying the roots were pulverized to make Sadamanjil Chooranam as per Siddha classical text 13 and 100 g of these extracted with one liter of water.
The first group considered as control group and was treated with vehicle (Normal saline) only. The second group considered as standard group which was treated with reference drug (Diazepam 2 mg/kg bw). The third and fourth groups were considered as test groups and were treated with SMCE at the dose level of 100mg and 200mg/kg bw respectively. Animals were fasted 18 h prior to the experiment.
An adaptation period of about forty five minutes after the drug treatment, the experimental animals were placed individually in the center of a platform facing one of the arms was closed, because animals naturally prefer the enclosed arms, as the aversion against the open arms predominates. Then animal was observed for 5 minutes, recording the number of times that entered into the open or closed arms, and the average time spent by the animal was recorded.
Average time was calculated by the following formula.
Average time = total duration in the arms / number of
The tail suspension test was originally developed by Steru et al 16. This behavioral despair test commonly employed experimental model for screening psychotropic drugs for its antidepressant, sedative like activity in mice. In this method, mice suspended by the tail hook using a piece of adhesive tap causing no pain in animals and the hook are connected to a sensor which records changes in movement for 6 minutes. The measuring principle is based on the behavior of a rodent trying to escape an uncomfortable situation. The magnitude of this immobility is considered correlated with depression, and is significantly reduced by antidepressants. Mouse movements are analyzed in terms of activity, energy and power developed in