Antidepressant Activity of Vicia Faba Hulls

Many biological activities have been reported in Fabaceae family. The aim of present study was to investigate antidepressant activities of Vicia faba hulhs extract. Antidepressant activities of methanolic extract was evaluated by modified forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST) in male Swiss albino mice. Extract showed significant antidepressant activities in both models. Extract shortened remarkably the immobility period in both FST and TST and exhibited a dose dependent activity (p<0.001). Extract in all tested doses decreased significant the duration of immobility during FST as compared to control group. But at 1200 mg kg-1, this effect was not comparable with that of imipramine (p<0.05). Extract in all tested doses showed significant activity in increasing in climbing time as compared to control group (p<0.01 and p<0.001). Imipramine also increased climbing time respect to the control group significantly (p<0.01) but extract at 1200 mg kg-1 showed better activity than imipramine in increasing climbing time (p<0.001). Extract showed significant activity in decreasing in swimming time as compared to the control group. There was no difference between this dose and control group (p>0.05). The effect of extract was not comparable with that of imipramine (p<0.001). Extract in all tested doses showed significantly and dose dependently decreased in the immobility time in TST as compared to control mice. Extract even at 800 mg kg-1 did not show the same activity as imipramine (p < 0.05). The non-fatal doses of extracts were over 3.0 g kg-1. Our study indicates that extract showed significant antidepressant activity. It seems this effect is mainly mediated by inhibition of reuptake of catecholamines. This result introduces this plant as easily accessible source of natural antidepressant.