---

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) has antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory proper-ties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tarragon hydro-alcoholic extract on anxiety and depression in male rats exposed to chronic restraint stress. Forty eight male rats were randomly divided into six groups including 1) control, 2) stress, 3) tarragon 100, 4) tarragon 500, 5) stress-tarragon 100 and 6) stress-tarragon 500. Groups 2, 5, and 6 were placed in restrainer for 21 consecutive days, 6 hours a day. Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were gavaged with tarragon extract of different do-ses (100 and 500mg/kg). At the end of this 21-day period, anxiety and depression were evaluated by elevated plus maze and forced swimming test. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, p<0.05 being considered significant. The pe-rcentages of open arm entry and time spent in open arm increased significantly in tarragon-stress groups compared with st-ress group (p<0.05). Tarragon extract decreased significantly the immobility time in rats exposed to stress in forced swim-ming test (p<0.01). The results suggested that hydro-alcoholic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. reduced the anxiety and depression in rats exposed to chronic immobilization stress, probably due to its anti-oxidant compounds

---

In patients with cerebral ischemia, both during hospitalization and in the community, the prevalence of major depression is evident. Since the depression has a negative impact on recovery, its timely diagnosis and treatment is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the oral administration of Chevilan extract (Ferulago angulata hydroalcoholic extract; 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on brain oxidative stress indices and depression after permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion or ischemia/hypoperfusion in male adult rats. A number of 35 rats were divided into a control group, an ischemic group and ischemic groups receiving doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Chevilan extracts for 14 days by gavage. To make animal models of permanent cerebral hypo perfusion/ischemia, right common carotid artery was ligatured first and the left one ligatured with an interval of one week. To evaluate depression, immobility in the forced swimming time of each rat was measured and then the rat’s brain tissues were extracted to separate hippocampus and measure malondialdehyde. The results showed that ischemia/hypoperfusion increased brain oxidants such as lipid per oxidation (LPO) and immobility. Also, ischemic rats treated with all three doses of the Chevilan show significant reduction in the concentration of MDA hippocampus and in immobility time at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 / 400mg, respectively. Increased swimming time was observed in all three groups of extract recipients. It was found that Chevilan extract with antioxidant effect can reduce the side effects of ischemia such as depression.