PA03.06. Swertiamarin A novel lead to antidepressants

PURPOSE: Conventional medicine says depression is a psychological disorder due to imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain and that which thereby focuses on managing depression rather than curing it. Contrary, ayurveda treats depression in a gentle, natural and effective way. Identification of ligands and phy tochemi c a l s tha t a re respons ible for antidepressant activity in plants are necessary in order to develop efficient drugs that are rapid and effective naturally without side effects even in acute administration. METHOD: Swertiamarin an unique phytochemical of the Gentianaceae family is a secoiridoid glucoside, is purified and quantified from sources namely Enicostemma littorale, Swertia chirata, S.japonica and S.angustifolia using HPLC with ethyl acetate: methanol: water (7.7:2.0:0.5) solvent systems. This purified phytochemical, hypothesized to possess antidepressant activity is then subjected to structure elucidation using mass spectrophotometer and Xray diffraction studies and proceeded with homology modeling for docking the swertiamarin with imipramine, citalopram, fluoxetine and venlafaxine receptors (antidepressant sites). The purified swertiamarin is further subjected to clinical and biochemical parameter analysis thereby analysing its potential to treat the depression induced in animals (group study) comparison with the standard allopathic antidepressants. RESULT: The source rich in swertiamarin can be determined using HPLC and are considered for further clinical and therapeutic parameters. The comparative structure elucidation of swertiamarin with MS and Xray diffraction analysis from various sources under study can predict the diversity of the compound which can serve as basis for functional analysis. The modeling and docking studies reveal the interactions of swertiamarin with its receptors (site of action) whose understanding can aid in revealing its mechanism as an antidepressant. Besides these, the clinical trials in shows the efficiency of swertiamarin as an antidepressant when compared to other drugs. CONCLUSION: This study can provide basis for improvement of ayurvedic antidepressants through phytochemical and clinical research which can aid gentler and quick treatment that can result from low and acute doses.