Aqueous extract of Mentha piperita (peppermint) can alter depression parameters: A behavioral study in mice.
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the potential anti-depressive like effect of aqueous extract of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) leaves, using two predictive models of depression: forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male Wistar albino mice. For this purpose, after weighting, coding, and classifying the mice, they were grouped (n = 6) as follows: test groups (175, 350, and 700 mg/kg Mentha Piperita aqueous extract; i.p), control groups (20 mg/kg Fluoxetine, and 30 mg/kg imipramine; i.p) and blank group (normal saline i.p) and received medication or extract for 28 days before the tests. Results: All doses of aqueous peppermint extract compared to the control group markedly reduced the immobility duration in both FST and TST when administered intraperitoneally for 28 days. Also, our results demonstrated that 350 and 700 mg/Kg of peppermint aqueous extract increased swimming time significantly (P<0.001) without any significant change in climbing (struggling) duration. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that Mentha Piperita leaves aqueous extract has anti-depressant-like activity in animal models of depression that might be a cause of increasing central serotonergic activity. However, more studies are required to determine the exact mechanisms of action.