Acute antidepressant activity of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin by using tail suspension test in swiss albino mice

Introduction: Depression is a psychological disorder of serious nature characterized by loss of interest in all most all the activities of life. In spite of many drugs available in the market, yet their is still search for newer drugs as the earlies drugs are known for its drawbacks like delayed onset of action and carries unacceptable adverse effects. Objectives: Our previous study with Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin have shown antidepressant activity by forced swim test in Swiss albino mice, hence we want to reconfirm the same in different models. Materials and Method: Swiss albino mice were divided randomly in to six groups of which each weighing 20-25 gm and the groups are as follows, Group I: 1% Gum acacia, 10ml/kg (Control), Group II: Imipramine (Standard), 10mg/kg, Group III and IV, Ciprofloxacin 25 & 50 mg/kg respectively, Group V & VI, Levofloxacin, 25 & 50 mg served as test group respectively. Each mouse was suspended by using a metal rod placed 50cm above the surface and its tail was pasted on to rod by an adhesive tape approximately 1cm away from the tip. Its mobility and immobility time was recorded discarding the initial 2minutes and considering the last 4 minutes of observation. Decrease in immobility time was considered to be having antidepressant effect. Results: Immobility duration based on mean± SD was 86.67 ± 2.61 sec for control, 52.50 ± 5.95 sec for Imipramine, 63.50 ± 19.00 sec and 67.17 ± 10.21 sec for Ciprofloxacin 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg respectively. Similarly, immobility duration for Levofloxacin was 68.67 ± 14.41 sec and 69.00 ± 18.85 sec respectively. Conclusion: Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin has not shown antidepressant activity by tail suspension test in Swiss albino mice.