INTRODUCTION:

Depression Grief and sadness are common human emotions. These kinds of emotions are common and usually pass after a few days. Severe depression is a different kind of depression. It's a time of intense melancholy. Depression is a common mental illness that is characterized by poor self-worth, low energy, lack of interest or pleasure, guilt feelings, disturbed sleep, difficulty concentrating and gloomy mood. An etiologically diverse set of brain illnesses known as depression is typified by a broad variety of symptoms that are indicative of changes in cognitive, psychomotor and affective processes.

Moreover, anxiety symptoms frequently coexist with depression. These issues may become persistent or recurrent, which may also result in significant impairments if a person is unable to take care of himself or herself.Considered a major public health concern due to its high prevalence, misery, dysfunction, morbidity and financial cost. Women experience depression at a higher rate than men. When it Worst of all, suicide may result. Approximately 1 million lives are lost to suicide each year, or 3000 suicide deaths every day. It is estimated that 350 million individuals worldwide suffer from depression. An average of one in twenty people reported experiencing a depressive episode in the past year, according to data from the 17-country World Mental Health Survey. The primary outcome of the majority of depressive disorders is suicide. Depression and associated diseases account for about 60% of deaths.¹

"Antistress" is a pharmaceutical term for the same, meaning an agent that improves adaptation and counteracts the negative effects of stress. The term "adaptogen" refers to an agent that increases the organism's ability for adaption during stress. Stress is a common occurrence for all people and optimal levels of stress are necessary for everyone's regular functioning. Therefore, it's critical to manage stress and prevent excessive stress from impairing normal functioning. Herbal remedies known as adaptogens aid the body in overcoming excessive stress, especially in long-term situations. Many commercial formulations advertise that they have antistress properties, but there are still a lot of herbs that advertise that they are wonder medications and general tonics that should be looked into and have their claims verified. The late Dr. Hans Selye, one of the pioneers in the field of stress management, defined stress as the body's general reaction to all demands placed upon it. The body's physical, emotional, or chemical response to excitement, confusion, or other feelings of being threatened or unsafe is known as stress. If a person's everyday obligations are manageable and easy, they will be alright. The risk of harm arises when someone determines that the circumstances are distressing or that the strain is too great.²

Antidepressant activity of some medicinal plant:

Lafoensia pacari A. ST.-HIL.(STEM BARK):

The results characterize the antidepressant-like effects of crude ethanolic extract of stem bark (PEtExt) and fractions obtained from Lafoensia pacari, a plant popularly used in Brazilian traditional medicine as a tonic, to treat depression and others diseases, in forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) with mice. On the basis of the clinical association of depressive episodes and stressful life events, many of the animal models for the evaluation of antidepressant drug activity assess stress-precipitated behaviors. Without compromising motor activity, the PEtExt dramatically shortened the immobility duration in both the FST and TST tests. In the FST, only the chloroformic fraction (50 mg/(kg day), p.o.) increases the immobility period and decreases the latency to immobility.³

Amaranthus spinosus (LEAF):

Amaranthus spinosus Linn., The herb is used as a laxative, antipyretic, antileprotic, diuretic, digestive, antidiabetic, bronchitis and other remedies in the traditional Indian medical system (Ayurveda), antigonorrheal, blood disorders, anti-snake venum and piles. Kerala tribes people in India drank juice to treat jaundice and to stop stomach edema. The leaves are cooked for two to three days without adding salt. Using the Forced Swimming Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) models, the antidepressant efficacy of methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus (MEAS) was examined and shows antidepressant activity.¹

Annona cherimolia (LEAF):

The acute administration of TA (5–20mg/kg) produced a reduction of immobility time, although this effect was not statistically significant. Repeated administration of TA induces antidepressant-like effects in mice as determined by the FST. TA did not induce changes in the locomotor activity or sedative effect because no sedation is observed in mice receiving doses of up to 40-mg/kg. The results of the study provided evidence of the antidepressant-like effect produced by an alkaloid extract from the aerial parts of Annona cherimolia. This effect seems to result from a generalized increase in monominergic turnover.⁴

Dacus carota (ROOT):

Dacus carota (DC) roots were chosen for the evaluation of their antidepressant effect. The plant was stated to has therapeutic qualities, including antifungal, antibacterial, hepatoprotective and enzyme-protective properties. It is a treatment for skin conditions, sores, fever, diarrhea, anorexia and dysentery. Ethanolic Extract of Dacus carota (EEDC) on mice's depression was carried out and the study's conclusion demonstrates a strong antidepressant effect.¹

Hedranthera barteri (SHRUB):

With COX-2 inhibitory activity, in-vitro, Hedranthera barteri is a shrub that has been scientifically proven to help with a number of nervous system issues, including pain, dizziness and inflammation. Results indicate that the dichloromethane fraction of Hedranthera barteri (DMHBR) exhibits strong antidepressant and anxiolytic activity.¹

Antistress activity of some medicinal plant;

Diospyros malabarica (DESR.) Kostel (DMDK) (ROOT):

In the investigation EERDMDK has been evaluated for the antistress activity against different types of stress i.e. Anoxia stress tolerance, Chemical induced stress, swimming endurance and immobilisation stress models. EERDMDK significantly reduced hyperglycemia might be due to by reducing hyperactivity of adrenal cortex and maintenance of homeostasis mechanism in immobilisation stress model. From the obtained data it was conclude that administration of EERDMDK significantly increases anoxia tolerance time, significantly decreases immobility time and number of writhes in animals and this effect was dose dependent.⁵

TRASINA® (MULTI HERBAL CAPSULE):

Trasina is a combination of Shilajit, Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Eclipt aalba, Ocimum sanctum and Picrorrhiza kurroa. Research stated that after sub chronic administration of Trasina for 21 days on two rodent models had simulate some biochemical features known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD)18,19. When mice with Trasina® were compared to untreated control animals, the results demonstrated significant increases in anoxia stress tolerance time and significant decreases in the number of writhes and immobility time. We found that Trasina® therapy significantly lowered blood urea nitrogen (BUN), triglyceride, cholesterol and glucose levels in an immobilization stress paradigm. Additionally, under stressful conditions, the weight of the liver and adrenal glands greatly increased while the weight of the spleen significantly dropped. When compared to the stressed group, the Trasina® treatment group's organ weight remained normal.⁶

Mikania micrantha Kunth (ROOT):

The result from the study showed an increase in duration of anoxia tolerance and swimming endurance time in rats treated with methanolic extract. The reversal of immobilization stress induced changes in biochemical parameters and organs weight were also exhibited in alcoholic extract treated groups. So the results suggest the adaptogenic activity of the plant M. micrantha, hence it can be categorized as plant adaptogen.⁷

Butea monosperma (FLOWER):

Water soluble part of ethanolic extract of flowers of Butea monosperma (100-400mg/kg i.p.) attenuated water immersion stress induced elevation of brain serotonin and plasma corticosterone levels. The ulcer index also decreased in dose dependent manner. Diazepam (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) which was used as a reference standard exhibited similar effects. Butea monosperma flowers possess antistress activity. The observed effects may be due to decrease in brain 5-HT and suppression of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical axis.⁸

Mulberry juice:

The results of the study demonstrated that mulberry juice showed anti-stress activity against mice, inhibiting the elevation of plasma lipid peroxide levels induced by stress. The anti-stress activity was expressed even if mulberry juice was administered only after the stress, without preadministration.⁹

CONCLUSION:

India is home to a large variety of medicinal plants that are scattered throughout the nation in various ecological and geographical circumstances. Since ancient times, people have utilized plants as remedies for a variety of illnesses. The collection of antidepressant and antistress plants included in this review was tabulated from different journals, and it can be concluded that there are still a lot of plants that need to be studied for their therapeutic value. These plants can be used as herbal medications because, in contrast to synthetic medications, they have no side effects and are rarely toxic. Thus, this review serves as an introduction to a variety of herbal sources for depression and stress treatment.

AKNOWLEDGEMENT:

Authors are thankfull to the National Education Society for providing facilities to carry out this work through the Principal National College of Pharmacy, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.

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Received on 20.08.2024 Revised on 07.10.2024

Accepted on 13.11.2024 Published on 08.03.2025

Available online from March 12, 2025

Res.J. Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics.2025;17(1):34-36.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5836.2025.00006

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