الفهرس 
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Abstract
Depression is a common mental disorder. It involves an upsetting, negative mental state that doesn’t go away or a loss of enjoyment or interest in activities. The goal of the current study was to determine whether crude cardamom oil has any antidepressant effect on a rat model of reserpine-induced depression. This was achieved by demonstrating its impact on animal behaviors using FST and OFT, as well as by measuring the levels of neurotransmitters (DA, 5-HT, NE), oxidative stress parameters (MDA, NO, GSH), enzyme activities (MAO, AchE, Na+/K+-ATPase), and BDNF in the hippocampus and cortex.
To achieve the study’s goal, sixty adults male Wistar albino rats (weighing 150–175 g each) were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups (10 rats / group):
1- Saline group.
2- Crude cardamom oil group.
3- TWEEN 80 group (as a solvent for cardamom oil).
4- Model of Depression group.
5- Fluoxetine treated group.
6- Crude cardamom oil treated group.
Identification of the chemical constituents of crude cardamom oil was carried out prior injection. After the duration of experiment was ended, the rats were subjected to two behavioral studies (FST and OFT). Then brain samples were collected (cortex and hippocampus) for analysis.
Results showed a significant increase in the immobility time of the rats in the FST with a subsequent decrease in both swimming and climbing duration, the significant reduction of locomotor activity in the OFT, which was observed by decreasing the number of squares crossed, rearing, and grooming activities, and increasing the duration of both freezing and central square durations.
Data showed a significant decrease in levels of cortical and hippocampal neurotransmitters (5-HT, NE, and DA), and parameters that are related to oxidative stress (MDA and NO) revealed a significant increase, with a concomitant significant decrease in the levels of GSH.
Results also showed an impact on the three different enzymes activities (Na+/K+-ATPase, MAO, and AchE) and BDNF. Both brain regions reflected a significant decrease in the Na+/K+-ATPase while a significant reasonable increase was detected in MAO activity. AchE showed different impacts in relation to the depression model. The prefrontal cortex displayed a marked decrease in the assessed enzyme activity. As for the hippocampus, AchE activity recorded a substantial increase which was consistent with the burden of oxidative stress. BDNF was significantly decreased in both brain regions. All those changes were observed in the model of depression as reliable biomarkers.
Treatment with crude cardamom oil effectively ameliorated depressive behaviors, high oxidative stress induced by reserpine and restored neurotransmitters and enzymes activities. Furthermore, the cardamom oil improved the level of BDNF in both brain cortex and hippocampus. Fluoxetine antidepressant which was used as a reference drug showed similar effects to cardamom oil by discriminating the negative depression impacts induced by reserpine.
In conclusion, crude cardamom oil significantly improved oxidative stress, increased neurotransmitters, enhanced enzyme activities, and increased BDNF in a rat model of reserpine-induced depression, exhibiting effects and results similar to those of antidepressants.