Studies on Anti-Depressant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Curcuma aromatica Rhizome in Experimental Animal Models

The present study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant and anti-inflammatory activity of "Curcuma aromatica" oil and "Curcuma aromatica" extract using different animal models. Antidepressant activity was evaluated by using various animal models. The degree of antidepressant activity was determined by measuring the immobility time in forced swim test and tail suspension tests. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using Carrageenan induced paw edema model. Animals treated with all three doses of CAO (250,500 and 750mg/kg) witnessed a decrease in their immobility times in FST and TST which was significant when compared with control. Similarly, animals treated with Imipramine (15mg/kg), as expected showed a significant decrease in the immobility time.

Carrageenan induced paw edema model was employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of "Curcuma aromatica". Carrageenan induced paw edema model uses change in paw volume of control, test, and standard respectively to find out percentage inhibition of edema .The study revealed that the "Curcuma aromatica" rhizome oil possess a significant antidepressant and anti-inflammatory activity.