Antidepressant Potential of Ferula gummosa Essential Oil in Mouse Models

Background and objectives: Earlier researches have exhibited the antioxidant, antinociceptive, and antiepileptic effects of Ferula gummosa. Considering that antioxidants play a key role in the pathogenesis of depression, the antidepressant potential of the F. gummosa essential oil was assessed by using a mouse models. Methods:Lorke’s method was used to access the acute toxicity of the F. gummosa essential oil. The F. gummosa essential oil (5-40 mg/kg), standard agents, and vehicle were administered to animals. The forced-swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open-field test (OFT) were used for the evaluation of depression. Results: The F. gummosa essential oil LD50 was found to be 316.22 mg/Kg b.w. β-Pinene, α-pinene, guaiol, δ-3-carene, bulnesol, α-Bisabolol, and β-myrcenewere the major components of the F. gummosaessential oil, respectively. In both FST and TST, 10-40 mg/kg of the essential oil decreased the duration of immobility. Furthermore, 10-40mg/kg of the F. gummosa essential oil enhanced the duration of swimming with no significant effect on the duration of climbing in FST. The F. gummosaessential oil did not change the animal locomotion in the OFT. Conclusion: According to the results, the F. gummosa essential oil showed antidepressant activity similar to fluoxetine which may have a potential clinical value for the treatment of depression.