SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION OF THE ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF MAANTHA KUDINEER: AN IN VIVO STUDY

The Siddha system of medicine, widely practiced in Southern India, encompasses several herbal formulations for the management of mental and neurological disorders. Maanthakudineeris a traditional Siddha formulation indicated for conditions associated with Vali (Vatham) imbalance, which governs neurological and psychological functions. The present study evaluates the antidepressant activity of Maanthakudineerusing the Forced Swim Test (FST) model in mice. The formulation was administered orally at a dose of 400 mg/kg for seven consecutive days. Depression-like behavior was assessed by measuring immobility and swimming time. The results demonstrated a reduction in immobility time and an increase in active swimming behavior in the treated group, indicating significant antidepressant-like activity. From a Siddha perspective, the observed effects may be attributed to normalization of Vatha imbalance and central nervous system modulation. Although autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, overlapping behavioral and emotional dysregulation suggests potential supportive relevance. The study scientifically validates the antidepressant activity of Maanthakudineer, demonstrating significant improvement in depression like behavior in vivo.These findings suggest its promising therapeutic potential in managing neurobehavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders, supporting its traditional siddha use.