Source Paper
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome: A literature review on mechanisms
Azimi E, Rameshrad M, Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar M, Hosseinzadeh H
Iran J Basic Med Sci • 2026
Forced swimming test
Objective: Measuring stress response and despair-like behavior in rodents forced to swim in inescapable water to assess anti-stress effects of ashwagandha
This is a Forced swimming test protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 3 procedural steps, 1 equipment items, 1 materials. Extracted from a 2026 paper published in Iran J Basic Med Sci.
Model and subjects
rat • male albino rats • male • not specified • not specified • not specified
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Animal Preparation • Treatment Administration • Forced Swimming Test
Primary readouts
- Immobility duration in the forced swim test
- Serum serotonin levels
- Brain total oxidative capacity
- Brain total anti-oxidative capacity
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Animal Preparation
Use male albino rats with alloxan-induced diabetes, maintained for six weeks before treatment
Note: Diabetes induced with alloxan
View evidence from paper
“Alloxan-induced diabetes in male albino rats, six weeks before treatment with W. somnifera extract”
Treatment Administration
Administer W. somnifera root extract orally at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day
Note: Oral administration
View evidence from paper
“W. somnifera root extract (100 and 200 mg/kg/day), orally, for six weeks”
Forced Swimming Test
Conduct forced swim test to evaluate diabetes-induced depression and anti-stress effects
Note: Used to assess despair-like behavior
View evidence from paper
“Forced swim test to evaluate diabetes-induced depression”