Antidepressant effects of Artemisia herba-alba (Asso.) essential oil in adult female rats

The present study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant effects of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil in adult female rats. A depressive-like state was induced by exposing the animals to various stressors over a periof of 28 days. The antidepressant potential of A. herba-alba EO (administered orally at doses of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) was assessed using neurobehavioral tests, namely the Forced Swimming Test (FST) and the Open Field Test (OFT). In addition, cortisol levels were measured as a biochemical marker of stress. The results were compared across the following groups: a non-depressed control group, an untreated depressed group, and a standard treatment group receiving fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). Oral administration of A. herba-alba EO significantly reduced immobility time in the FST (p<0.0001), and significantly increased both the number of squares crossed and the number of entries into the central area in the OFT (p<0.0001). Furthermore, the EO significantly lowered cortisol levels at doses of 20 mg/kg (p <0.05) and 40 mg/kg (p<0.01). These findings support the potential antidepressant efficacy of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil in adult female rats.