Effects of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract in depression co-morbid with alloxan-induced diabetes in mice

Context: Increased neuronal oxidative stress as a consequence of diabetes may result in neuropsychological complications such as depression. Depression co-morbid with diabetes further hampers the quality life years in diabetic patients. Aim: Thus, the present study was aimed at investigating the effects of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract (EAV), as a natural remedy, in alloxan-induced diabetes and co-morbid depression in mice. Materials and Methods: Experimentally, mice were rendered diabetic with a single dose of alloxan of 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.). After 3 weeks of having chronic diabetic state, mice were given EAV (100-400 mg/kg, orally)/vehicle/standard control (escitalopram, ESC; 10 mg/kg, orally) for 7 days. After dosing, anti-diabetic effect was detected by the fasted blood glucose levels and anti-depressant effect was evaluated by behavioural despair tests, followed by monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and oxidative stress analysis. Results and Discussion: EAV treatment effectively reduced the elevated blood glucose levels and reversed co-morbid depressive behaviour. Furthermore, EAV inhibited diabetes induced increased oxidative stress and MAO activity in the brain. Thus, EAV demonstrated the potential protective action against oxidative stress and revealed monoamine modulatory activity in the brain, which may contribute to its anti-depressant effect. Conclusion: This work demonstrates the efficacious effect of EAV in reversing the depression co-morbid with alloxan-induced diabetes in mice.