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Background and purpose: Diabetes-associated depression may occur due to changes in the quality of life imposed by treatment, or may be a consequence of biochemical changes accompanying the disease. There are some reports indicating that treatment with methanolic extract of dried rhizomes of ginger could lead to a significant reduction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced elevation of glucose level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behaviors of diabetic mice through an animal model of depression -the forced swim test (FST)-, and to determine the efficiency of ginger extract as an antidepressant. Materials and methods: Balb/C male mice (25-30 g) were submitted to the forced-swimming test after seven days induction of diabetes with streptozotocin (100 mg/kg, i.p.). The test was analyzed using an ethological approach and we investigated the changes of blood glucose levels of diabetic mice during the test. Methanolic ginger extract (175, 350 and 700 mg/kg) was administered i.p. 45 min before the test. Results: Diabetic mice were significantly more immobile during the forced-swimming test. Ginger extract at doses of 175 and 350 mg/kg did not change blood glucose values and decreased immobility of diabetic mice with no change in behavior when compared with nondiabetic mice. Both blood glucose levels and immobility time were significantly lower in the diabetic mice that received the dose of 700 mg/kg ginger extract. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that diabetic mice present more intense depressive-like behavior, when exposed to the forced-swimming test. Ginger extract resulted in antidepressant-like effect in these animals. Increased blood glucose level is involved in depression associated with diabetes, because ginger extract counteracts these changes with modifying blood glucose.

Keywords: Depression, diabetes, forced-swim test, ginger, mouse

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