Effect of peppermint extract on food intake and body weight following immobilization stress in mice

Introduction: Stress interferes with the different physiological performance systems and causing in some behavioral responses that including food intake. Considering the effects of peppermint in traditional medicine as an effective drug on some disorders in this study its effect on food intake and body weight following immobilization stress were studied.Materials and Methods:: Male mice were divided randomly into the three groups; the first group as a control group, second group as a stress group and third group as stress plus peppermint oil group with ten mice in each. The second group as a stress group received immobilization stress four hours for three days. Third group as stress plus peppermint oil group received stress in addition to administration of 27 mg/kg peppermint oil intraperitoneally before stress. After three days of treatment, food intake and body weight were measured. Results: Based on food intake, there were statistical differences between control and stress groups (P=0.001), stress and stress plus peppermint oil (P=0.001), control and stress plus peppermint oil (P=0.025). Based on body weight, there were statistical differences in stress and stress+ peppermint oil groups before and after experiment (P<05).Conclusion: This study showed that the level of food intake and body weight in stress group after three days compared to the control group was decreased. Administration of peppermint oil, improved food intake and weight gain after chronic stress immobilization