Antidepressant-like effect of asiaticoside in mice

In the present study, the potential antidepressant properties of asiaticoside were investigated in male mice in three tests—splash test in the unpredictable chronic mild stress (CMS) model, tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST)—with clomipramine being a positive control. In the splash test, asiaticoside (10 mg/kg, PO) and clomipramine (50 mg/kg, PO) significantly augmented the frequency of grooming behavior in stressed mice. In the tail suspension test, asiaticoside (10, 20 mg/kg, PO) and clomipramine (50 mg/kg, PO) significantly decreased immobility time. In the forced swimming test, asiaticoside (10, 20 mg/kg, PO) and clomipramine (50 mg/kg, PO) significantly decreased immobility time. These results suggest that asiaticoside may have antidepressant-like action.