Anti-Depressant and Anti-Anxiety Like Effects of Cydonia Oblonga in Mice Exposed to Mild Stress

Cydonia oblonga is the scientific name of Quince and it has been claimed to have antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antihemolytic, aphrodisiac and anti-allergic properties in previous studies.

Anxiety and depression are linked with oxidative injury so in the present study, Cydonia oblonga was explored for its antidepressant and antianxiety potential.

The experiments with Cydonia oblonga seed extract were carried out in animal models of depression and anxiety(Swiss albino). Five groups of six mice each(total of 30 mice) were trained initially to consume 2% sucrose solution for three weeks. The first group was normal control, the remaining four were exposed to stress and were fed with either: 10ml water per kg p.o, imipramine (antidepressant drug)15 mg/kg body weight, diazepam (anti-anxiety drug) 25mg/kg body weight and Cydonia oblonga seed extract in dosages of (40 mg, 60 mg, 80mg per kg body weight) for the time period of 30 days.

indicated that Cydonia oblonga seed extract of 80 mg/kg body weight and imipramine groups had significantly increased sucrose consumption, decreased duration of immobility during Forced Swim Test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) thus indicating significant antidepressant like activity of the extract. Similar results were seen for anti-anxiety effect, this effect was evaluated using photoactometer and elevated plus maze method.

The findings of the study indicate that Cydonia oblonga seed extract is effective in depression and anxiety and the effects are dose dependent with comparable efficacy at higher dosage to the standard approved drugs