Abstract

Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide and its global burden seems to further increase in the future. In the present study, in silico approach was used to assess the use of constituents of Zingiber officinale as potential agents that could act as antidepressant agents. Docking studies of Gingerol and Shogoal were carried out using Argus lab 4.0.1. Analysis of the results of the docking software suggested that Gingerol and Shogoal can act as potent antidepressants. For the binding analysis, 5HT_1A receptor protein was taken for the study as it is considered being a potential target for treatment of depression. The standard drug, imipramine was subjected to docking analysis for comparative study. Further analysis in the wet lab may provide more information regarding antidepressant activity of Z. officinale.

Key words: Zingiber officinale, Argus lab 4.0.1, docking, depression, 5HT_1A receptor.