An Evaluation of Antidepressant-Like Effects of the Aqueous Extract of the Myrtus Communis L. Fruit in Male Mice

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the potential antidepressant-like effect of aqueous extract from fruits of M.Communis L. on mice. Materials and Methods: To carry out this investigation, after weighting, coding, and classifying the mice, they were divided into the following groups (n = 6): test groups (175, 350, and 700 mg/kg of M. Communis aqueous extract; i.p), the control group (20 mg/kg Fluoxetine, and 30 mg/kg Imipramine; i.p) and the blank group (normal saline i.p). Different doses of the extract, fluoxetine, and Imipramine were administrated daily for 28 days. Behavioral evaluations were performed using the tail suspension and forced swimming tests. Results: The aqueous extract of the M. Communis fruit did not reduce the immobility time in both TST and FST(P 0.05). Moreover, the extract did not increase the climbing behavior in FST, which reveals the depressant-like effect of this herbal extract (P 0.05). This depressant-like effect increased dose-dependently. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the aqueous extract of the M. Communis fruit has a depressant-like activity in mice models.