Chicoric acid regulates behavioral and biochemical alterations induced by chronic stress in experimental Swiss albino mice

► CA exhibited considerable antidepressant activity by showing decrease in immobility period in the Porsolt's swim stress-induced behavioral despair test and escape failures in Learned “helplessness test”. ► The antidepressant activity was further confirmed by its modulating effect on nor-adrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and 5- hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT). ► A regulating effect on lipid per oxidation, glutathione (GSH) and glycogen in liver of chronically stressed mice was also shown. ► It also normalized the raised corticosterone levels, the main marker of stress response in rodents.