The Antidepressant-Like Effects of <i>Punica granatum</i> (Pomegranate) Extract in Mice

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the putative antidepressant-like effects of pomegranate fruit extract including seeds (PFE) on the performance of male mice in the forced swimming test (FST), after acute administration, after short-term treatment (7 days) and, after repeated administration in a 24-h period (24, 12 and 1 h before swimming test). A single dose (20 ml/kg p.o.) of PFE, in male mice provoked a significant reduction of the immobility time. Such effect was also observed with short-term treatment (7 days) with doses of 1 and 10 ml/kg/day of PFE. Moreover, it was noted that there were important differences in the onset of the antidepressant-like effect in the FST, depending on the modality of treatment with PFE. Both efficacy and potency were higher when repeated administration of PFE was used, and surprisingly the dose of 10 ml/kg (24, 12 and 1 h before swimming test) was as effective as Fluoxetine. In the same way, the short term administration (7 days) improved significantly efficacy and potency of the PFE in comparison to a single dose treatment. These results indicate an antidepressant-like profile of action for PFE which deserves further research.