Antidepressant and Antiamnesic Potential of Foeniculum vulgare

ABSTRACT

Aim:To evaluate the antiamnesic and antidepressant effect of Foeniculumvulgarewhole crushed seeds.Study Design:Laboratory based randomized control study. Place and Duration of StudyDepartment of Pharmacology, University of Karachi between January 2018 to August 2018. Methodology:Thirty swiss albino mice and wistar rats were divided equally in three groups. Control group was fed on standard rodent diet, group 2 was fed on 2% Foeniculumvulgarediet and group 3 was given 4% Foeniculumvulgarediet. Antidepressant activity was assessed using forced swimming test. Memory enhancement effect was evaluated by stationary rod test, passive avoidance test and water maze test.Results:Increased durationof struggling time was noted in both group 2 and group 3 as compared to control in forced swimming test. Decrease in time to reach platform in both water maze and stationary rod test was recorded in both the study group (group 2 & 3). Increase in stepthroughlatency was also seen in group 2 and group 3 as compared to control group.Conclusion:The results showed the memory enhancing and antidepressant actions of Foeniculum