Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF ALBIZZIA LEBBECK (L) BENTH. IN BEHAVIORAL DESPAIR MODEL

Kavitha S. K.*, Syed Nizamuddin and Nagaraj N.

ABSTRACT

Depression being a state of sadness may be defined as a psychoneurotic disorder characterized by mental and functional activity, sadness, reduction in activity, difficulty in thinking, loss of concentration, perturbations in appetite, sleeping, and feelings of dejection, hopelessness and generation of suicidal tendencies. It is a common and recurrent disorder causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The antidepressant compounds used against depression are reported to be used also for treating pain, anxiety syndromes etc. They have been grouped in five different categories such as Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), Serotonin-nor epinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Non-TCA antidepressants based on their mode of action. Most of the antidepressants have been reported to possess adverse effects on the health of users. The present review article focuses on an updated current of antidepressants, their mechanism of actions, path physiology of these compounds, their side effects and the strategies to combat the drug induced toxicity.

Keywords: Antidepressant drugs, Depression, Neurotransmitters, MAOIS, psychoneurotic disorder.