Antidepressant activity of basil leaves essential oil (Ocimum basilicum) in male balb/c mice

Abstract

Depression is the most common mental disorder nowadays. It was triggered many searches to find out traditional plants that has antidepressant activity, one of which is sweet basil. Sweet basil oil that consist of eugenol inspected by in vivo using depression-induced male Balb/c mice and compared its antidepressant activity with fluoxetine HCl. This study was to compare antidepressant activity of sweet basil oil (Ocimum basilicum) and fluoxetine HCl evaluated from immobility time and serotonin level in plasma. An experimental study, in vivo, has been done in animal house and biomolecular laboratory medical faculty of Sriwijaya university during May until July 2015. Samples of 32 male Balb/c mice that divided into 4 groups was adapted for 10 days. Tail suspension test was done for 14 days, then mice blood was taken for checking depression serotonin level. In day 15th until 28th, mice given with sweet basil oil with gradually dose (P1, P2, and P3) and fluoxetine HCl (P4). Tail suspension test was done once and mice blood was taken for checking after therapy serotonin level. Data analyzed with SPSS 16. All male mice are similar in body weight, immobility time at tail suspension test I, and depression serotonin level. By tail suspension test, there is significant difference before and after therapy in group P1, P2, and P3 (p <0,001), group P4 (p = 0,001). There is no dose suitability between sweet basil oil and fluoxetine HCl based on tail suspension test (p < 0,001). Serotonin level in plasma before and after therapy shows significant difference in all groups (p < 0,001). There is no dose suitability between sweet basil oil and fluoxetine HCl based on serotonin level in plasma (p < 0,001). Antidepressant activity of sweet basil oil and fluoxetine HCl is not similar based on immobility time and serotonin level in plasma.