Behavioral Models Of Depression Research Articles

The antidepressant and sedative properties of the ethanolic extracts of Pleurotus squarrosulus on reserpine induced depression anxiety in wistar rats

Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions that can have a significant impact on an individual’s life. Although orthodox treatments for these conditions can be effective, they often accompanied with unfavorable side effects. Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp) have been reported to possess numerous health benefits, including antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant and sedative properties of the ethanolic extracts of Pleurotus squarrosulus. The ethanolic extract of the sample was screened for the presence of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides. The results revealed that the ethanolic extract of Pleurotus squarrulosus exhibited significant radical scavenging ability against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical, nitric oxide (NO), and ferric reducing antioxidant power.
 The neurobehavioral assessment of rats induced with reserpine showed that Pleurotus squarrulosus extract reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) (p<0.0001), which are behavioral models of depression. Treatment of the Reserpine-induced rats with Pleurotus squarrulosus extract also improved the levels of neurotransmitters acetylcholinesterase, thereby combating the neurotransmitter depletion and oxidative stress induced by their depressive state. The group induced with depression upon reserpine administration resulted in elevated levels of MDA showing high level of peroxidation. The Pleurotus squarrosulus extract as well as the standard antidepressant administered, fluoxetine ameliorated this effect. The groups treated with the Pleurotus squarrosulus extract in the study, was found to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. This suggests that the extract may have potential as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases that involve oxidative stress.

Ketamine promptly normalizes excess norepinephrine and enhances dopamine neuronal activity in Wistar Kyoto rats.

Ketamine acts primarily by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor at the phencyclidine site. The rapid antidepressant properties of ketamine were demonstrated in the clinic and several behavioral models of depression in rodents. We hypothesized that the normalization of abnormal activity of monoamine neurons in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats contributes to the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine. A single administration of ketamine (10mg/kg, i. p) or saline was administered to anesthetized WKY rats before in vivo electrophysiological recordings of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT), locus coeruleus (LC) norepinephrine (NE) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neuronal activity. Pyramidal neurons from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were also recorded before and after a ketamine injection. In the VTA, ketamine elicited a significant increase in the population activity of DA neurons. This enhancement was consistent with findings in other depression-like models in which such a decreased population activity was observed. In the LC, ketamine normalized increased NE neuron burst activity found in WKY rats. In the DRN, ketamine did not significantly reverse 5-HT neuronal activity in WKY rats, which is dampened compared to Wistar rats. Ketamine did not significantly alter the neuronal activity of mPFC pyramidal neurons. These findings demonstrate that ketamine normalized NE neuronal activity and enhanced DA neuronal activity in WKY rats, which may contribute to its rapid antidepressant effect.

Effect of Flax seed oil and Ashwagandharishta on various behavioral and pharmacological models of depression in Swiss albino mice

Abstract Background: Linum usitatissimum Linn., commonly known as flax seed or linseed, is known to be the richest plant source of alpha linoleic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid, whereas Ashwagandharishta, an Ayurvedic classical formulation, is the treatment remedy for Apasmara (epilepsy), Murchha (syncope), and Unmada (psychosis). Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antidepressant effect of flax seed oil and Ashwagandharishta on various behavioral and pharmacological models of depression. Materials and methods: The healthy Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into five groups: (i) Normal control i.e., water control, (ii) vehicle control - Milk control (7.4 mL/kg), (iii) flax seed oil with milk (2.6 mL/kg), (iv) Ashwagandharishta (6.5 mL/kg), and (v) flax seed oil with milk followed by Ashwagandharishta (2.6 mL/kg + 7.4 mL/kg+ 6.5 mL/kg). The antidepressant effect was evaluated using behavioral despair test, anti-reserpine test, and L-DOPA potentiation test. Results: Flax seed oil, when administered with milk as the vehicle was found to be an excellent antidepressant in behavioral model of depression [P < 0.001 [vs. control]; P < 0.05 [vs. milk]] as well as against reserpine-induced depression (P < 0.05). However, it failed to exert a similar effect in the L-DOPA potentiation test. Whereas Ashwagandharishta showed moderate antidepressant activity in behavior despair test (P < 0.05) as well as against reserpine-induced depression (P < 0.01) and failed to exert L-DOPA potentiating effect. Conclusion: Flax seed oil and Ashwagandharishta exhibit a significant antidepressant effect in various behavioral and pharmacological models of depression in Swiss albino mice.

The mediating effect of environmental reward on activity restriction and depressive mood in cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Activity restriction is known as a predictor of depressive mood in cancer survivors. However, there is inconsistent evidence about precisely how this takes place. Environmental reward is a state where a person senses mastery or pleasure because of their activity, and this is known to be a possible mediator of the activity restriction effect on depressive mood. We sought to investigate that the mediating effect environmental reward could have on the relationship between activity restriction and depressive mood when moderated by cancer-related fatigue. Methods: Cancer survivors (n = 94; mean age, 60.07 years) recruited through cancer support groups in Japan participated in this study. They completed a battery of questionnaires, including demographic and clinical information about the respondents, the Activity Restriction Scale for Cancer Patients—Revised, the Environmental Reward Observation Scale, the Cancer Fatigue Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Moderated mediation analysis revealed that high levels of activity restriction predict a decrease in environmental reward, and a decrease in environmental reward exacerbates depressive mood. The full mediating effect (when the indirect effect is statistically significant and there is no direct effect from the antecedent to outcome) of environmental reward was observed when cancer-related fatigue was moderated by ±1 SD of the mean score. This implies that, regardless of the level of fatigue cancer survivors experience, it is not the activity restriction per se that predicts depressive mood but rather the inability to experience pleasurable emotions because of the activity restriction that leads to the exacerbation of depressive mood. Conclusion: From these results, environmental reward was found to be a possible mediator of activity restriction on depressive mood, consistent with behavioral models of depression. These results could explain the inconsistent findings about the direct effect of activity restriction on depressive mood and provide theoretical evidence for the effectiveness of psychological treatments for cancer survivors that focus on positive affect, such as behavioral activation interventions.

β-carboline-independent antidepressant-like effect of the standardized extract of the barks of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd) Poir. occurs via 5-HT2A/2C receptors in mice.

Depression is a psychiatric disorder with limited therapy options. Psychedelics are new antidepressant candidates, being the ayahuasca one of the most promising ones. A synergistic combination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines allows ayahuasca antidepressant properties. Another psychedelic and DMT-containing beverage is the jurema wine used religiously by indigenous people from Northeastern Brazil. To evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of standardized extract of Mimosa tenuiflora (SEMT), associated or not with harmine (β-carboline), in behavioral models of depression. The SEMT was submitted to (+) ESI-IT-LC/MS analysis for DMT quantification. To assess the antidepressant-like effect of SEMT, the open field (OFT), tail suspension (TST), and forced swim (FST) tests were performed. To verify the participation of serotonergic systems, the 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head twitch test was performed. The content of DMT found in SEMT was 24.74 ± 0.8 mg/g. Yuremamine was also identified. SEMT presented an antidepressant-like effect in mice submitted to the TST and FST, independent from harmine, with no significant alterations on the OFT. The sub-dose interaction between SEMT and ketamine also produced an anti-immobility effect in the TST, with no changes in the OFT. SEMT potentiated the head twitch behavior induced by 5-HTP and ketanserin prevented its antidepressant-like effect in the TST (p < 0.05). SEMT presented a harmine-independent antidepressant-like effect in mice submitted to the TST and FST. This effect occurs possibly via activation of serotonergic systems, particularly the 5-HT2A/2C receptors.

A Proposed Model for the Role of Fear of Intimacy and Social Support in Behavioral Activation: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Behavioral theories of depression posit that depression results from the environment not adequately reinforcing non-depressive behaviors. One commonly used treatment based on the behavioral model of depression is Behavioral Activation. While many implementations of Behavioral Activation emphasize social interactions, there is limited empirical investigation into the contribution of specific facets of social engagement in the behavioral model of depression. Fear of intimacy, an indicator of willingness to engage in specific types of social interactions, may play an important role in understanding at a functional level what aspects of social engagement are important in behavioral activation. The current study (N = 353) proposes a model, anchored in functional outcomes of behavioral interactions, to explain the development and utilization of social support as environmental enrichment. The proposed model accounted for 55% of the variance of depressive symptoms. Findings were consistent with a model where fear of intimacy was directly and indirectly associated with depression via activation, social support, and environmental enrichment. Notably, social support was not directly associated with depression. Findings suggest the importance of incorporating vulnerable self-disclosure in behavioral activation treatments to foster environmental enrichment.

Engaging in pleasant events explains the relation between physical disability and mental health outcomes in older adults

Objectives This study expands the body of research examining mediators of the association between physical disability and mental health outcomes. Based on the behavioral model of depression, frequency of pleasant events were examined as a mediator between physical disability and mental health outcomes including depressive symptoms, meaning in life, and positive affect. We predicted that physical disability would have a significant indirect effect on mental health outcomes through the lower frequency of pleasant events. Methods Cross-sectional study of 82 community-dwelling adults, M age = 77.6, SD = 8.0, 64.6% female, was conducted. Self-report instruments measured frequency of pleasant events, physical disability, and mental health outcomes (depression symptoms, positive affect, and meaning in life). Results Simple mediation analyses demonstrated a significant indirect effect of physical disability on depressive symptoms (unstandardized coefficient = 0.16, 95% bias-corrected CI 0.03, 0.41), positive affect (unstandardized coefficient = −2.65, 95% bias-corrected CI −5.38, −0.88), and meaning in life (unstandardized coefficient = −1.58, 95% bias-corrected CI −3.19, −0.47) through engagement in pleasant events. Conclusion Physical disability was associated with greater depressive symptoms and lower positive affect and meaning in life through reduced frequency of pleasant events. These findings are consistent with the behavioral model of depression and support several applied recommendations for reducing the burden of physical disability on mental health outcomes.

The Impact of an Enriched Environment on the Relationship Between Activation and Depression in Latinx and Non-Latinx Students

Behavioral models of depression have theorized that access to positive reinforcement is a key component to the etiology and maintenance of depression. As a result, many treatments for depression such as Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Behavioral Activation emphasize the importance of increased activity and creating an environment where rewards and reinforcement is available. Despite the theoretical underpinnings in depression and the success of these treatments incorporating the constructs, little is known about the relationship between the availability of environmental rewards and activation as it relates to depression. To address this gap in knowledge, a cross-sectional survey was administered to 409 undergraduate students at a medium-sized, Hispanic-Serving institute. Consistent with behavioral models of depression, the findings provided support for the contribution of an enriched environment as well as behavioral activation on depression. The findings indicate that the role of activation changes based on the level of environmental reward that is available. When taken together, the availability of environmental reward and activation accounted for a large amount of the variance of depression indicating support for behavioral models of depression.

The Effectiveness of the Positive Mood and Active Life Program on Reducing Depressive Symptoms in Long-Term Care Facilities.

Depression is prevalent among long-term care facility (LTCF) residents. However, interventions are not normally part of the management of these residents due to a shortage of mental health professionals. On the basis of Lewinsohn's behavioral model of depression, we developed a 12-week pleasant activity scheduling intervention, the Positive Mood and Active Life (PMAL) program. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the PMAL program on reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life among at-risk LTCF residents. We adopted a cluster randomized controlled trial design. Four LTCFs were randomly assigned as treatment sites and three provided care as usual. At-risk LTCF residents (N = 68) were identified using the Mood Resident Assessment Protocol from the Minimum Data Set 2.0. The PMAL program was delivered to 34 residents. The primary and secondary outcomes were depressive symptoms and quality of life, as measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF), respectively. After 12 weeks, the GDS-15 score in the intervention group showed a reduction from 7.59 to 5.67, with a significant treatment by time effect (p = .006), based on the mixed model analysis; the WHOQoL-BREF score also substantially increased from 69.83 to 86.61 (p = .000). The PMAL program is effective in reducing depressive symptoms of at-risk LTCF residents. It is a feasible intervention that requires minimum resources and can be integrated with standardized assessment systems.

Protective and Harmful Effects of Religious Practice on Depression Among Jewish Individuals With Mood Disorders

Research suggests that religious practice has a small but consistent inverse relationship with depression, but recent work within the Jewish population has been equivocal. Following the behavioral model of depression, one explanation is that religious activity may provide positive reinforcement. We hypothesized that this would be true only for those who intrinsically value religion, and conversely, religious practice may be depressogenic for individuals lacking intrinsic motivation. We tested this possibility in a longitudinal sample of 160 Jewish individuals meeting DSM–IV criteria for a mood disorder. Multilevel autoregressive growth modeling suggested that controlling for past depressive symptoms, past intrinsic religiosity, and religious practice jointly predicted future depression. Individuals with high religious practice and high intrinsic religiosity reported lower future depressive symptoms, whereas those with high practice and low intrinsic religiosity reported higher depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that religious practice can have both protective and harmful effects, depending on internal values.

Shortened Spadin Analogs Display Better TREK-1 Inhibition, In Vivo Stability and Antidepressant Activity.

Depression is a devastating mental disorder that affects 20% of the population worldwide. Despite their proven efficacy, antidepressants present a delayed onset of action and serious adverse effects. Seven years ago, we described spadin (PE 12-28) as a promising endogenous peptide with antidepressant activity. Spadin specifically blocks the TREK-1 channel. Previously, we showed in vivo that, spadin activity disappeared beyond 7 h after administration. In order to improve in vivo spadin stability and bioavailability, we screened spadin analogs and derivatives. From the study of spadin blood degradation products, we designed a 7 amino-acid peptide, PE 22-28. In vitro studies on hTREK-1/HEK cells by using patch-clamp technique, showed that PE 22-28 displayed a better specificity and affinity for TREK-1 channel compared to spadin, IC50 of 0.12 nM vs. 40–60 nM for spadin. In the same conditions, we also pointed out that different modifications of its N or C-terminal ends maintained or abolished TREK-1 channel activity without affecting PE 22-28 affinity. In vivo, the antidepressant properties of PE 22-28 and its derivatives were demonstrated in behavioral models of depression, such as the forced swimming test. Mice treated with spadin-analogs showed a significant reduction of the immobility time. Moreover, in the novelty suppressed feeding test after a 4-day sub-chronic treatment PE 22-28 reduced significantly the latency to eat the food pellet. PE 22-28 and its analogs were able to induce neurogenesis after only a 4-day treatment with a prominent effect of the G/A-PE 22-28. On mouse cortical neurons, PE 22-28 and its derivatives enhanced synaptogenesis measured by the increase of PSD-95 expression level. Finally, the action duration of PE 22-28 and its analogs was largely improved in comparison with that of spadin, up to 23 h instead of 7 h. Taken together, our results demonstrated that PE 22-28 and its derivatives represent other promising molecules that could be an alternative to spadin in the treatment of depression.

Unpacking Response Contingent Positive Reinforcement: Reward Probability, but Not Environmental Suppressors, Prospectively Predicts Depressive Symptoms via Behavioral Activation

Behavioral models of depression conceptualize the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms as occurring within a system of response-contingent positive reinforcement (RCPR). Such models propose a negative cycle in which a decrease in positive reinforcement of adaptive, approach-oriented behaviors (i.e., RCPR) results in reduced behavioral activation and increased depressive symptoms, which in turn feeds back into further decreases in positive reinforcement and maintains the cycle. Previous research indicates that RCPR has two lower-order constructs, reward probability and environmental suppressors. The present study evaluated a hypothesized mediational model in which the paths from each of the two domains of RCPR to depressive symptoms are mediated by behavioral activation. The sample consisted of 150 college students (78.0% women), ranging in age from 18 to 47 years (M = 20.81, SD = 3.96), who endorsed moderate to severe depressive symptoms at a baseline (time 1) evaluation. Findings from a path analysis provide support for the mediated path between reward probability at time 1 and depressive symptoms at time 3, via behavioral activation at time 2. In contrast, environmental suppressors at time 1 demonstrated a direct impact on depressive symptoms at time 3, and this relationship was not mediated by behavioral activation at time 2. These findings provide a partial test of behavioral frameworks and provide evidence of separate pathways between domains of RCPR and depressive symptoms.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 on depression paradigms in male Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice

Background: Depression is a major public health concern. Inflammation and oxidative stress have emerged as major contributors to the neuroprogression of depression. There is evidence that there are reduced antioxidant (AOX) defenses in depression. Hence, this study is aimed at evaluating the antidepressant activity of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which is an AOX. Aims and Objective: The aim and objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of CoQ10 on depression using behavioral models of depression namely forced swim test (FST) in male Wistar rats and tail suspension test (TST) in male Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: The antidepressant activity of CoQ10 was evaluated using two behavioral models of depression namely FST and TST in male Wistar rats and male Swiss albino mice, respectively. The standard antidepressant used was amitriptyline. Results: There was statistically significant difference in the duration of immobility with amitriptyline and CoQ10 treated groups, when compared to that of control group in both behavioral models of depression. It was also found that there was no statistically significant difference between amitriptyline and CoQ10, indicating comparable antidepressant activity. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that, CoQ10 has significant antidepressant activity. Taking into consideration the fact that, inflammation and oxidative stress have a major role to play in the pathophysiology of depression, CoQ10 appears to be a promising agent for the treatment of depression.

Perinatal programming of depressive-like behavior by inflammation in adult offspring mice whose mothers were fed polluted eels: Gender selective effects

Several lines of evidence indicate that early-life inflammation may predispose to mental illness, including depression, in later-life. We investigated the impact of perinatal exposure to polluted eels on neonatal, postnatal, and adult brain inflammation, and on the resignation behavior of male and female adult offspring mice. The effects of maternal standard diet (laboratory food) were compared to the same diet enriched with low, intermediate, or highly polluted eels. Brain inflammatory markers including cytokines were assessed in offspring mice on the day of birth (i.e., on the postnatal day–PND 1), upon weaning (PND 21) and at adulthood (PND 100). Plasma myeloperoxidase and corticosterone levels were evaluated at PND 100. Immobility behavior of offspring was assessed in adulthood (i.e., at PNDs 95–100), using the tail suspension and forced swimming tests. Chronic brain inflammation was found in male and female offspring mice compared to controls, as assessed at PNDs 1, 21, and 100. The level of myeloperoxidase was found to be significantly higher in both adult males and females vs. control offspring. However, high corticosterone levels were only found in male offspring mice that were perinatally exposed to eels, suggesting a gender-selective dysregulation of the adult hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis. Gender-specific differences were also detected in adulthood in regard to offspring resignation behavior. Thus, compared to controls, males, but not females, whose mothers were fed eels during pregnancy and lactation exhibited a depressive-like behavior in adult age in both behavioral models of depression. Depressive symptoms were more pronounced in male mice perinatally exposed to either intermediate or highly polluted eels than those exposed to only lowly polluted eels. Our results indicate that early-life inflammatory insult is a plausible causative factor that induces the depressive phenotype exhibited by male adult offspring mice, most likely through a gender-specific HPA axis enhanced activation.

P.1.g.033 - Group II mGlu receptor antagonist LY341495 enhances the antidepressant-like effects of scopolamine in behavioural models of depression

P.1.g.033 - Group II mGlu receptor antagonist LY341495 enhances the antidepressant-like effects of scopolamine in behavioural models of depression

Inulin-Type Oligosaccharides Extracted from Yacon Produce Antidepressant-Like Effects in Behavioral Models of Depression.

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), a traditional food in the Andean diet, is attracting global attention for its medicinal properties, which are mainly because of its high content of non-digestible oligosaccharides. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of inulin-type oligosaccharides extracted from yacon (YOs) in behavioral models of depression. Behavioral despair models in mice including the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST) were used to determine the effects of acute YOs administration. The locomotor activity was also explored to eliminate any false-positive activity. In addition, to further investigate the antidepressant-like effects of subchronic YOs administration, the learned helplessness (LH) paradigm in rats was performed. The results demonstrated that YOs (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) treatment significantly reduced the immobility time in the mouse TST and FST in a U-shaped, dose-dependent manner, and showed no stimulatory effect on the locomotor activity. Furthermore, subchronic YOs (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg, p.o.) treatment significantly reversed the escape deficits in LH rats, including an increased number of escape failures and prolonged escape latency. These findings suggest that the inulin-type oligosaccharides extracted from yacon may be a prospective natural source for antidepressants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antidepressant Effect of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae): Involvement of Cholinergic, Monoaminergic and L-arginine-nitric Oxide Pathways.

We have previously reported antidepressant effect of Cnestis ferruginea (CF) in behavioral models of depression. Due to the promise shown by this extract, this study was carried out to investigate the contribution of monoaminergic, cholinergic and nitrergic systems to the antidepressant-like effect elicited by CF. Male albino mice were pretreated with monoaminergic or cholinergic receptor antagonists, L-arginine or N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) (at doses reported to block the in vivo effect of the agonists), 15 min before oral administration of CF (100 mg/kg), 1 h later, the forced swim test (FST) in mice was carried out. CF treatment produced significant changes in the duration of swimming (F(5,42)=9.86, P<0.001), climbing behaviour (F(5,42)=4.51, P=0.004) and mean time spent immobile (F(5,42)=11.55, P<0.001) vs. vehicle-treated control. Co-administration of CF with fluoxetine or imipramine potentiated their effect. However, pretreatment of mice with reserpine (F(1,16)=119.20, P<0.001), prazosin (F(1,16)=68.98, P<0.001), sulpiride (F(1,16)=15.46, P<0.01), RS 127445 ((F(1,20)=8.22, P<0.01), SB 399885 ((F(1,20)=38.44, P<0.001), atropine (F(1,16)=53.77, P<0.001), or L-arginine (nitric oxide precursor) (F(1,16)=10.35, P<0.01) prevented CF-induced antidepressant-like effect in mice. In addition, pretreatment of mice with L-NNA (10 mg/kg) augmented the effect of CF. C. ferruginea exerts its antidepressant-like action through interaction with α-adrenoceptor, dopamine D2, 5-HT2B, 5-HT6 and muscarinic cholinergi1c receptors as well as L-arginine-nitric oxide systems. C. ferruginea could be used as adjuvant with conventional antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

The antidepressant like action of ethanolic extract of areca catechu on behavioral models of depression in rats

Background: The objective was to investigate the anti-depressant like activity of areca catechu nut ethanolic extract (ACEE) using behavioural tests in rats.Methods: Forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were used to assess the anti-depressant like effect of ACEE rats. Motor coordination was also assessing using rota-rod test in rats to see generalised CNS depression. Fluoxetine was the reference standard drug. Rats were divided into four groups with six rats in each group namely control group, fluoxetine 10 mg/kg group, ACEE 50 mg/kg group and fluoxetine 5 mg/kg plus ACEE 25 mg/kg. All treatments were administered orally.Results: The areca nut ethanolic extract (ACEE) (50mg/kg oral) exhibited anti-depressant like activity i.e. decrease the duration of immobility time (sec) in acute forced swim test (FST) and in acute tail suspension test (TST) in rats (104±1.7, 95%CI 99.65 to 108.4, p &lt;0.01) Vs control and (136.3±1.94, 95%CI 131.3 to 141.3, p&lt;0.01) Vs control respectively. ACEE in low dose of 25 mg potentiated the anti-depressant activity of low dose fluoxetine 5 mg/kg in both the test 102.3±2.60, CI 95.64 to 109.0 p&lt;0.01) Vs control. The ACEE did not produce motor incoordination in rats.Conclusions: The results of present study suggest that the areca catechu nut ethanolic extract 50mg/kg possess potential anti-depression like effect without generalized CNS depression. Further studies are needed to confirm this.

Pretreatment depression severity in breast cancer patients and its relation to treatment response to behavior therapy.

Major depressive disorder is prevalent in breast cancer patients. There is a paucity of research on variables associated with depression severity and the link between depression severity and response to psychotherapy. To provide optimal mental health services to breast cancer patients, examining correlates of depression severity and its relation to treatment response is critical. In the context of a randomized trial of behavior activation and problem-solving therapy for depressed breast cancer patients, this study evaluated demographic (marital status, age, education), psychosocial (social support, environmental reward, anxiety, number of coexistent anxiety disorders), and cancer-related (bodily pain, length of diagnosis, cancer stage) variables associated with pretreatment depression severity. Second, the relation of pretreatment depression severity with posttreatment and 12-month response and remission was assessed. For pretreatment depression severity, the overall regression model accounted for 40% of the variance, F(5, 74) = 9.87, p < .001. Less environmental reward and greater somatic anxiety were significantly and uniquely associated with depression severity. Depression severity was unrelated to treatment remission but was a significant moderator of treatment response at posttreatment and 12-month follow-up; individuals with higher depression severity were more responsive to therapy. For patients treated with behavior activation, environmental reward significantly mediated the relationship between pre- and posttreatment depression. Consistent with behavioral models of depression, less environmental reward and greater anxiety might influence depression severity in breast cancer patients. Data support the efficacy of behavior therapy for breast cancer patients, particularly those with more severe depression.

Antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effect of novel 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonist 2-[4-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazin-1-yl]-1,8-naphthyridine -3-carboxylic acid (7e)-: An approach using rodent behavioral antidepressant and anxiolytic test battery

Aim: Depression and anxiety are among the most common and prevalent forms of mental disorder. The 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonists modulate serotonergic pathways and show antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effect in various animal models of depression. The present study was designed to investigate the antidepressant and anxiolytic potential of 2-[4-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazin-1-yl]- 1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid (7e), a novel 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist in rodent behavioral models of depression and anxiety. Materials and Methods: The compound 7e was tested using different behavioral models for depression and anxiety such as forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), mechanistic models such as 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head twitch, elevated plus maze (EPM), hole-board (HB) test, open field test (OFT), and light and dark (L and D) aversion test. Results: The compound 7e (1 and 2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) exhibits antidepressant-like effect in FST. In addition, compound 7e (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibits antidepressant-like effect in TST after acute treatment without any significant effect on base line spontaneous locomotor activity. Moreover, compound 7e (2 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated the 5-HTP-induced head twitch responses in mice. In interaction studies, compound 7e (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated the antidepressant effect of bupropion. Furthermore, compound 7e also exhibited anxiolytic-like effect in EPM, HB test, OFT, and L and D aversion test. Conclusion: These preliminary studies reveal that compound 7e exhibits antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effect in behavioral rodent models of depression and anxiety.