Effects of Rhus Coriaria essential oil on depression and anxiety in male rats

Depression and anxiety are among the most important diseases of human being. The chemical drugs used to treat these diseases have side effects, therefore, the use of medicinal herbs such as Rhus Coriaria can be effective in treating these diseases with regard to properties such as anti-oxidant activity. In this study, the effects of oral administration of Rhus Coriaria fruit essential oil (RCFEO) was investigated on depression and anxiety in male rats.

In this experimental study, adult male Wistar rats were divided into control, RCFEO (50, 100, and 300 mg/kg), fluoxetine (depression reference drug) and alprazolam (anxiety reference drug) groups. In order to evaluate the depression and anxiety, forced swimming and elevated plus maze tests were used, respectively.

In the forced swimming test, there were significant differences between the RCFEO (100 and 300 mg/kg) and the control group in aspect of the immobility time (P<0.05, P<0.001) as well as climbing time (P<0.05, P<0.01), respectively. In addition, the results from the elevated plus maze test showed that the percent of entries into open arms are significantly different between 300 mg/kg of RCFEO and control that way this index had increased by using RCFEO (300 mg/kg) (P<0.001).

This experimental study indicates that administration of Rhus Coriaria fruit essential oil (orally) probably can improve depression and anxiety in male rats.