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Background: Alpinia officinarum is an aromatic plant that show some neuroprotective functions in animal models. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of A. officinarum rhizome using two behavioral models. Methods: Forty male BALB/c mice were randomized to four groups. All studygroups underwent three weeks of daily chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) sessions. Control group received daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of normal saline 30 min before daily CUS; groups 2, 3 and 4 received i.p. injection of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg/day of A. officinarum extract, respectively. Behavior tests were performed after 21 days of treatment. Serum and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TCA) were also measured. Results: Immobility duration in both forced swim test and tail suspension test decreased significantly in the groups treated with A. officinarum extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg compared to control group (P < 0.05). Extract treatment reduced MDA and increased TCA in both brain and serum (P < 0.05). Results demonstrate that the hydroalcoholic extract of A. officinarum possesses antidepressant activity in the animal model.

<p class="Abstract">The present study investigated the effect of H. officinalis essential oil on avoidance memory in chronic stress-induced. Mice were exposed to chronic immobilization stress and were treated with H. officinalis essential oil for 21 days. Memory and learning were measured using shuttle box. The serum levels of corticosterone, malondialdehyde, antioxidant capacity, brain malondialdehyde level and antioxidant capacity were measured. Treatment with 75 mg/kg of H. officinalis essential oil caused a significant increase in t2 duration under chronic stress. Serum and brain malondialdehyde levels significantly decreased under stress treated with 75 mg/kg of H. officinalis essential oil. Brain and serum antioxidant capacity significantly increased under stress treated with 75 mg/kg of H. officinalis essential oil. The group that received 75 mg/kg of H. officinalis essential oil (inside the restrainer) had insignificantly lower serum corticosterone levels. H. officinalis essential oil has anti-anxiety effects and can promote memory and learning under chronic immobilization stress.</p><p><strong>Video Clip of Methodology</strong>:</p><p>Avoidance memory test (t1): 0 min 44 sec:   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/QTITrGSzhDw">Full Screen</a>   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTITrGSzhDw">Alternate</a></p><p>Avoidance memory test (t2): 1 min 2 sec:   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/uCpa52hCCSg">Full Screen</a>   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCpa52hCCSg">Alternate</a></p>

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