Antidepressant-like effect of ethanolic extract from Caryophyllus aromaticus in albino rats

Objective: Caryophyllus aromaticus mill L (Caryophyllus aromaticus) is a herbal spice plant that has several therapeutic effects. It also heals depression, grief, nervous stress and tension. In the present study we evaluated antidepressant-like effect of Caryophyllus aromaticus using forced swimming test (FST). Material and Methods: Three doses of ethanolic extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. After 30 min of injection, immobility and swimming times were measured and compared with control (negative control) and imipramine (positive control). Results: The results showed that higher dose (200mg/kg) of extract significantly increased swimming time and decreased immobility time. However, the two lower doses of extract (50 and 100mg/kg) also had significant effect on these parameters. Conclusion: These results proposed antidepressant-like effect of higher dose concentration of ethanolic extract of Caryophyllus aromaticus