Antidepressant- Like effect of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Lavandula angustifolia Mill in forced swim test and tail suspension test in male mice

Lavandula officinalis has anti-anxiety and sedative properties. In the present study، the antidepressant effect of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Lavandula officinalis in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male mice was investigated. In this experimental study، 72 male mice were randomly divided into 9 groups of 8: Negative and positive control groups received normal saline (10 ml/kg)، fluoxetine (20mg/kg) and imipramine (30mg/kg) respectively and treatment groups received extracts of Lavandula officinalis (100،200 and 400 mg/kg). Immobility، swimming and climbing behaviors were recorded during 6-min. Lavandula officinalis extracts (except the aqueous extract at a dose of 100 in FST) compared to control group significantly and dose dependently reduced the duration of immobility time a both of tests (p<0. 001). Also، these extracts (except the aqueous extract at a dose of 100 in FST) significantly and dose dependably increased swimming time (p<0. 001) without significant change of climbing time. Lavandula officinalis has considerable antidepressant-like effect and their effect similar to fluoxetine.