Effect of Anti-stress Activity of Fluoxetine on Restrained Stress Induced Male Albino Rats in Hematological Parameters and Whole Brain Histopathology

Objective: In this study we investigated the effect of Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on the gravimetry, hematology and whole brain histopathology in the restrained stressed male albino rats. Methodology: Adult male Wistar albino rats weighing about 175-225 g were taken for the study and were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group I (control), Group II (stress induced), Group III (stress + withdrawal) and Group IV (stress + Fluoxetine, 20 mg/kg body weight, i.p.). The gravimetrical parameters, hematological parameters and whole brain histopathology of all the experimental rats were evaluated. Results: After 42 days of restraint stress, there was a significant (P ≤0.05) decrease final body weight, whole brain weight, Hb, RBC, MCV, MCH, total WBC and Platelets, whereas increase in Neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes in Group II of restraint stress rats when compared with their control group I. The stress withdrawal group (Group III) and drug Fluoxetine treatment (Group IV) shown significantly (P≤0.05) improvement in gravimetry, hematological parameters and whole brain histopathology in restraint stress compared to only stress induced group II. Conclusion: The drug Fluoxetine treatment could exert a protective effect on restrained stress induced alterations in gravimetrical parameters, hematological parameters and whole brain histopathology of male albino rats.