Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Oxalis Barrelieri on Some Murine Models of Acute Depression

Abstract

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank Group released on June 12th, 2015, 400 million people do not have access to essential health services and 6% people in low-income countries are exposed to the extreme poverty [1]. With three of the Millennium Development Goals calling for improved health, the strategies currently being promoted by WHO are in the direction of security, efficiency, good quality, availability, preservation and good regulation of traditional and complementary medicine in general and more particularly medicinal plants [2]. In many countries worldwide, traditional medicine is an important and often underestimated part of health services. The use of plants to cure or prevent chronic and mental diseases has a long history dating back to antiquity; for example the lantana tree, which is known for its many antimicrobial properties; it is particularly effective against bronchitis and other respiratory infections [3]. Now days, the international community is increasingly recognizing that invisible disabilities, such as mental health, are one of the most neglected but most critical development challenges for achieving the internationally agreed development goals. The most common mental disorders are depression and anxiety. Depression, often called "evil of the century" is not a recent concept, but its origin is as far away as the memory of medical literature [4].