199 1. IntroductIon Psoralea corylifolia has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. This plant is pharmacologically studied for its chemoprotective, antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-infammatory properties. The plant of immense biological importance has been exploited since ages against several skin diseases, such as psoriasis, leukoderma, and leprosy 1 . The trade name of Psoralea corylifolia is babchi and bakuchi 2 . The plant possesses potent inhibitory activity against 4 species of fungi viz. Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton foccosum and Microsporum gypseum 3,4 . The active compound (+) bakuchil 1 exhibited anti-tumoral property in vitro 5 . The pure compound 6-(3-methyl but -2-enyl) 6-7 dihydroxy coumestan 1 isolated from chloroform extract of the seed of Psoralea corylifolia L. was evaluated for the pesticidal activity against both adults and different instars of Tribolium casteneum Hebrst 6 . The chloroform extract of seed was effective against carrageen induced paw edema in rat and mouse ear infammation 7 , anti-helmintic activity using two- enzyme system taking rat brain as a model for Ascaridia galli 8 . The aqueous extract of seed furnished one hepatoprotective compound, bakuchiol 1, together with two moderately active compounds, bakuchicin 2 and psoralen 3, on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in human liver- derived Hep G-2 cells 9 . The fruit extracts exhibited osteoblastic proliferation stimulating activity. Corylin and bavachin compounds from Psoralea corylifolia might stimulate bone formation and have potential activity against osteoporosis 10 . These phenolic compounds in Psoralea corylifolia were shown to be effective in protecting biological membranes against various oxidative stresses 11 . Bioassay directed purifcation of the active compounds led to the isolation of the new compound corylifolin 1 and the known compounds led to the isolation of the new compound bakuchiol 2 as DNA polymerase inhibitors 12 . The seed of Psoralea corylifolia has signifcant medicinal properties and is a rich source of isofavones, daidzein (40, 7-dihydroxyisofavone) and genistein (40, 5, 7 trihydroxyisofavone). In view of the action of natural dietary estrogens, they are recognised as potentially health-protective food compounds, which provide health benefts, including the prevention of sex hormone related ailments, cancer and cardiovascular diseases 13 . Isofavones also exert antioxidant properties thereby provide protective effect against oxidative damage 14,15 and they are used in the treatment of various skin diseases. Traditionally, the plant is used both internally as well as externally. The seed oil is extremely benefcial, externally in numerous skin ailments. Seeds yield essential oil, psoralen, resin, a terpenoid oil, isopsoralen and psoralidin. Seeds also contain a crystalline solid, a furocoumarin, from the pericarp, psoralidin and isopsoralen have been identifed. Psoralen are active principle for inducing pigmentation 13,16-17,19 . The depression criteria has gradually developed as documented by both the American Psychiatric Association (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM- IV, 1994) and the World Health Organisation Geneva (International Classifcation of Diseases, ICD-10, 1993), providing essential guidance for both clinicians and researchers. Effect of Psoralea Corylifolia Extract on Physically Induced depression in Mice D. Bhawya, K.R. Anilakumar * , and Farhath Khanum Applied Nutrition Division, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru - 570 011, India * E-mail: anilakumarkr@gmail.com AbstrAct The mouse forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) are widely used to predict anti-depressant effcacy indicated by immobility time to be reduced by several different classes of anti-depressant drugs. PCE feeding at the dose of 75 mg/kg,150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg reduced the immobility duration at 14-days and 21-days, however the decrease was signifcant in mice treated with PCE for 21-days also, extract had no effect on spontaneous motor activity in mice, indicating that extract had no excitatory or inhibitory action on central nervous system in effective dose range, which eliminated the probability of false-positive results in forced swimming test and tail suspension test. Interestingly, the dose-response effect of PCE on reduction of serum CRF levels was concomitance with that on increase of brain 5-HT contents, as well as on swimming increase, indicating that the serotonergic system and the HPA axis responds with the production of 5-HT and CRF profles that is characteristic for PCE applied in the mouse FST. Our results demonstrate that the oral administration of PCE possesses an anti-depressant-like activity, as evidenced by behavioural studies. Detailed investigations are needed to fully elucidate the mechanism of action at cellular level for the bioactive constituents present in the extract. Keywords: Psoralea corylifolia; Depression; Tail suspension test; Forced swimming test Defence Life Science Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2, April 2017, pp. 199-205, DOI : 10.14429/dlsj.2.11362  2017, DESIDOC Received : 16 February 2017, Revised : 15 March 2017 Accepted : 21 April 2017, Online published : 12 May 2017 REsEARch PAPER