Effects of essential oils and extracts from certain Thymus species on swimming performance in mice

The effect of the methanol extracts and essential oils from the aerial parts of Thymus fallax Fisch. & C. A. Mey. (Lamiaceae), T. kotschyanus Boiss. et Hohen., and T. pubescens Boiss. et Kotschy ex Celak on mouse swimming performance were studied using different doses. On the basis of our findings, the methanol extracts and oils shortened remarkably the immobility period during the forced swimming test in comparison with negative control and exhibited a dose-dependent antidepressant activity. The duration of immobility observed via the essential oils was less than that via the extracts in these experiments. The results of tests showed that the extracts and oils of T. fallax had more antidepressant activity than T. kotschyanus and T. pubescens.