Anti Depressant Activities of Medicinal Plants as Adjuncts for Selective Serotonin Re Uptake Inhibitors

Abstract

Depression is a syndrome that is generally comprised of loss of interest, anxiety, newlinedisturbances in sleep, loss of appetite, lack of energy and suicidal thoughts. According newlineto the WHO, it affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Depending on the newlinenumber and severity of symptoms, a depressive episode can be categorized as mild, newlinemoderate or severe. newlineCurrent prevention and treatment strategies for depression include nonpharmacological newlineand pharmacological treatments. Non-pharmacological treatments newlineinclude psychotherapeutic measures, exercise and yoga, music therapy, mindfulnessbased newlinetherapies, electroconvulsive therapy, etc. Pharmacological treatment of newlinedepression makes use of several classes of anti-depressant drugs which are somewhat newlinesuperior to those of psychotherapy, especially in cases of chronic major depression. newlineSelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as escitalopram, citalopram, newlinefluoxetine, etc., are considered as primary medications due to their broad effect on newlinevarious psychiatric illnesses. Though they have better safety and side effect profiles newlinecompared to tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors newline(MAOIs), several side effects including coma, seizures, cardiac toxicity and sexual newlinedysfunctions have been reported with SSRIs. Their use during pregnancy is associated newlinewith an increased rate of miscarriages, birth defects, new-born behavioural syndrome, newlineautism, etc. Hence, there is a need to explore alternative approaches that can either newlinereplace or help in reducing the dosage of SSRIs in treatment thereby decreasing their newlineside effects. Medicinal plants, which are cost-effective and more readily available, may serve to fulfil this niche. newlineThe aim of the study was thus to evaluate the anti-depressant activities of medicinal newlineplant(s) as an adjunct to the SSRI drugs. Three plants, viz., Benincasa hispida (fruits), newlineBacopa monniera (leaves) and Erythrina variegate (bark) were screened for their antidepressant newlineactivities.