Optimization of the sensitivity of the forced swimming technique for evaluating the antidepressant effect of drugs

ABSTRACT

Biphenyl Dimethyl Dicarboxylate [DDB] is attracting a growing attention for its pharmacotherapeutic properties as a protector against viral and chemical hepatotoxicity, and possibly as an immunomodulator. It has been also shown to possess some neurobehavioral effects on laboratory animals. Thus, the rising wide spread use of DDB, together with the demonstration of its neurobehavioral potential; have stimulated our interest to investigate its effect on the state of depression. The present work was designed to study the effect of combination of tail suspension and forced swimming techniques on the state of depression, and to compare the effect of fluoxetine and DDB on the combined technique. In addition, serotonin [5-HT], dopamine [DA] and norepinephrine [NE] contents were assayed in the whole brain in each case. The study was carried out on adult male mice. Fluoxetine was administered as a single dose [15 mg/kg, i.p.] and DDB was administered daily for 7 consecutive days [100 mg/kg/day, p.o.]. The obtained results showed that DDB exerted similar effect on immobility time as fluoxetine. However, it produced different neurochemical effects