Depression is one of the most frequently observed psychological disorders, affecting thoughts, feelings, behavior and a sense of well-being in person. As per the WHO, it is projected to be the primitive cause of various other diseases by 2030. Clinically, depression is treated by various types of synthetic medicines that have several limitations such as side-effects, slow-onset action, poor remission and response rates due to complicated pathophysiology involved with depression. Further, clinically, patients cannot be given the treatment unless it affects adversely the job or family. In addition, synthetic drugs are usually single targeted drugs. Unlike synthetic medicaments, there are many plants that have flavonoids and producing action on multiple molecular targets and exhibit anti-depressant action by affecting multiple neuronal transmissions or pathways such as noradrenergic, serotonergic, GABAnergic and dopaminergic; inhibition of monoamine oxidase and tropomyosin receptor kinase B; simultaneous increase in nerve growth and brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Such herbal drugs with flavonoids are likely to be useful in patients with sub-clinical depression. This review is an attempt to analyze pre-clinical studies, structural activity relationship and characteristics of reported isolated flavonoids, which may be considered for clinical trials for the development of therapeutically useful antidepressant.

Objective: The present study aim to investigate the anti-psychotic potential of pyrus communis in the rodents.Methods: The fresh juice of pyrus communis (Pear) was administered orally to rodents for 21 d and the anti-psychotic activity was assessed by in vitro methods viz ketamine induced stereotypic behaviour, pole climbing avoidance in rats and swim induced grooming behaviour experimental models. The biochemical estimation was done on 21 d.Results: The different concentrations of fresh pyrus communis juice was assayed. When pyrus communis juice (PCJ) was administered chronically for 21 d remarkably decreased ketamine induced falling, head-bobbing, weaving and turning counts. Administration of Pear juice significantly delayed the latency time taken by the animals to climb the pole in Cook’s pole climb apparatus. In swim induced grooming behaviour model, Pear juice significantly reduced swim induced grooming behaviour. Moreover, Pear juice significantly decreased the brain dopamine levels and inhibited acetyl cholinesterase activity. In the present study, Pear juice significantly enhanced reduced glutathione levels in the brains of mice, thereby reflecting enhanced scavenging of free radicals and in turn preventing occurrence of psychotic attack.Conclusion: The present study revealed that pyrus communis juice possessed significant anti-psychotic activity.

Objective: The present study aim to investigate the anti-obsessive compulsive disorder potential of honey in mice.Methods: The honey was given orally in two concentrations of 17.5 ml/kg and 35 ml/kg to mice for 21 days. The anti-obsessive compulsive activity was assessed on 21th day by in-vitro methods viz flickering-light induced obsessive- compulsive behaviour model developed in our laboratory (Patent No. 3087/DEL/2012) and marble-burying behaviour model. The biochemical estimation was also done on 21 days.Results: When honey was administered chronically for 21 days significantly reduced gnawing behaviour and marble-burying behaviour of mice. Interestingly in our biochemical estimations, both, brain serotonin and GABA level were significantly increased by honey. The anti-Obsessive compulsive activity of honey may be due to the presence of Tryptophan, which is an important precursor of serotonin in the serotonergic neurons thereby enhancing the biosynthesis of serotonin to facilitate the anti- obsessive compulsive activity.Conclusion: The present study revealed that honey possessed significant anti-OCD activity.Keywords: Honey, Anti-obsessive–compulsive disorder, Antioxidant, Serotonin.