Antidepressant-like effect of Cuminum cyminum essential oil on the forced swim and tail suspension tests in male mice

Background and aims: Several pharmacological and biological activities have been attributed to Cuminum cyminum L. (CC), including analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-epileptic effects. In this regard, the present study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of the CC essential oil (EO) on the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male mice. Materials and Methods: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) apparatus was used for detecting the chemical compounds of CC EO. In the present study, 72 male NMRI mice were randomly allocated to 12 groups (each containing 6 animals) including control or vehicle (10 mL/kg, i.p.), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i.p.), imipramine (30 mg/kg, i.p), and the CC EO (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, i.p.). Then, several parameters were measured and recorded, including immobility time, swimming time, and climbing time in FST, along with immobility time in TST, respectively. Results: Cuminaldehyde followed by cymene, γ-terpinene, phenylglycol, 2-caren-10-al, 2-β-pinene, acoradiene, and cuminic acid were the major components of the CC EO. Based on the results, all doses of the CC, fluoxetine, and imipramine reduced immobility time in both FST (P