Antidepressant-like effect of Cuminum cyminum essential oil on the forced swim and tail suspension tests in male mice

Background and aims: Several pharmacological and biological activities have been attributed to Cuminum cyminum L. (CC), includinganalgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-epileptic effects. In this regard, the present study evaluated the antidepressant-likeeffects of the CC essential oil (EO) on the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male mice.Materials and Methods: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) apparatus was used for detecting the chemical compoundsof CC EO. In the present study, ۷۲ male NMRI mice were randomly allocated to ۱۲ groups (each containing ۶ animals) including controlor vehicle (۱۰ mL/kg, i.p.), fluoxetine (۲۰ mg/kg, i.p.), imipramine (۳۰ mg/kg, i.p), and the CC EO (۱۰۰, ۲۰۰, and ۳۰۰ mg/kg, i.p.).Then, several parameters were measured and recorded, including immobility time, swimming time, and climbing time in FST, along withimmobility time in TST, respectively.Results: Cuminaldehyde followed by cymene, γ-terpinene, phenylglycol, ۲-caren-۱۰-al, ۲-β-pinene, acoradiene, and cuminic acid werethe major components of the CC EO. Based on the results, all doses of the CC, fluoxetine, and imipramine reduced immobility time in bothFST (P < ۰.۰۰۱) and TST (P < ۰.۰۰۱). On the other hand, all doses of the CC and fluoxetine increased swimming time (P < ۰.۰۰۱) althoughclimbing time was only increased by ۲۰۰ and ۳۰۰ mg/kg of the EO (P < ۰.۰۱ and P < ۰.۰۰۱, respectively) and imipramine (P < ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, the components of the CC induced antidepressant-like activity similar to that offluoxetine and imipramine in both tests. However, further studies are required to confirm the role of different active components and theexact mechanism of action.

Keywords:

Cuminum cyminum , Depression , Animal models , Monoaminergic system , Mice