Preclinical data on morpholine (3,5-di-tertbutyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) methanone induced anxiolysis.

Trimetozine is used to be indicated for the treatment of mental illnesses, particularly anxiety. The present study provides data on the pharmacological profile of trimetozine derivative morpholine (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) methanone (LQFM289) which was designed from molecular hybridization of trimetozine lead compound and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-hydroxytoluene to develop new anxiolytic drugs. Here, we conduct molecular dynamics simulations, docking studies, receptor binding assays, and in silico ADMET profiling of LQFM289 before its behavioral and biochemical assessment in mice within the dose range of 5-20 mg/kg. The docking of LQFM289 showed strong interactions with the benzodiazepine binding sites and matched well with receptor binding data. With the ADMET profile of this trimetozine derivative that predicts a high intestinal absorption and permeability to blood-brain barrier without being inhibited by the permeability glycoprotein, the oral administration of LQFM289 10 mg/kg consistently induced anxiolytic-like behavior of the mice exposed to the open field and light-dark box apparatus without eliciting motor incoordination in the wire, rotarod, and chimney tests. A decrease in the wire and rotarod´s fall latency coupled with an increase in the chimney test´s climbing time and a decrease in the number of crossings in the open field apparatus at the dose of 20 mg/kg of this trimetozine derivative suggest sedative or motor coordination impairment at this highest dose. The attenuation of the anxiolytic-like effects of LQFM289 (10 mg/kg) by flumazenil pretreatment implicates the participation of benzodiazepine binding sites. The lowering of corticosterone and tumor necrosis factor alpha (cytokine) in LQFM289-treated mice at a single oral (acute) dose of 10 mg/kg suggests that the anxiolytic-like effect of this compound also involves the recruitment of non-benzodiazepine binding sites/GABAergic molecular machinery.

Neuropharmacological assessment in mice and molecular docking of piperazine derivative LQFM212.

Piperazine derivatives are an attractive class of chemical compounds for the treatment of various mental illness. Herein, we demonstrated the synthesis of LQFM212, a piperazine derivative, behavioral evaluation in mice and computational studies. In neuropharmacological assessment, LQFM212 treatment at doses of 18, 54 or 162 µmol/kg increased the sleep duration in sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep test. LQFM212 at dose of 162 µmol/kg increased climbing time in the chimney test and decreased the number of squares crossed in the open field test, suggesting that LQFM212 in high doses reduces spontaneous movement. However, LQFM212 treatment at the doses of 18 or 54 µmol/kg increased the preference for the center of field which could be indicative of anxiolytic-like effects. In elevated plus maze and light-dark box tests, LQFM212 treatment altered all parameters observed that demonstrate anxiolytic-like activity. These effects were reversed by flumazenil, mecamylamine, WAY-100635 and PCPA, but not with ketanserin, showing that anxiolytic-like activity involve benzodiazepine site of GABAA receptor, nicotinic and serotonergic pathways. Molecular docking of LQFM212 showed that the ligand has more interactions with GABAA receptor than with 5-HT1A receptor. Despite the involvement of benzodiazepine site on anxiolytic-like effect of LQFM212, treatment with this compound did not alter cognitive function in the step-down avoidance test. In this sense, this piperazine derivative is a good prototype for treating anxiety disorders with putative mechanism of action.

Tert-butyl 4-((1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methyl) piperazine-1-carboxylate (LQFM104)- New piperazine derivative with antianxiety and antidepressant-like effects: Putative role of serotonergic system.

The piperazine derivatives correspond to an extensive chemical class of compounds with numerous neuropharmacological activities, including antidepressant (e.g., nefazodone, trazodone) and anxiolytic (e.g., buspirone) properties. Therefore, aiming to identify a new antidepressant and antianxiety lead-compound, our group designed, synthesized, and investigated the effects of a new piperazine compound, namely, LQFM104, on the behavior of mice. Male albino Swiss mice were treated with LQFM104 prior to predictive behavioral tests as open field (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swimming (FST), and tail suspension tests (TST). The participation of the serotonergic system was evaluated by pretreatment with a 5-HT1A antagonist receptor (WAY100635) and serotonin (5-HT) synthesis inhibitor (p-chlorphenylalanine, pCPA) before oral administration of LQFM104 and behavioral tests. The treatment with LQFM104 did not interfere with locomotor activity but revealed suggestive data of anxiolytic-like effects by the increase in the time spent in the center of the OFT. This activity was confirmed by the results obtained in the EPM, and it was abolished after pretreatment with WAY100635 and pCPA. The immobility time decreased in both the FST and TST. The antidepressant-like activity was completely abolished after WAY100635 pretreatment. Altogether, these data revealed that LQFM104 possesses anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties in behavioral tests on mice, and these activities are possibly mediated, directly and/or indirectly, by serotonergic pathways.

Monoamine Involvement in the Antidepressant-Like Effect of ß-Caryophyllene.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder is a psychiatric disorder that affects 4.4% of the population worldwide. Although the majority of antidepressant drugs ameliorate depressive symptoms, there is still a need for safer and more effective antidepressant. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the antidepressant-like activity of sesquiterpene compound ß-caryophyllene (BCP) for the possible contribution of the monoamine and hippocampal levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). METHODS: Male albino Swiss mice were subjected to the forced swimming test after acute treatment and to the tail suspension test after repeated treatment. Hippocampal levels of BDNF were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The anti-immobility effect of BCP was reverted by pretreatment with an inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis α-methyl-p-tyrosine (100 mg/kg, i.p.), α2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and ß-adrenergic antagonist propranolol (2 mg/kg, i.p.), but not by pretreatment with either α1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p.) or 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), thereby suggesting the involvement of α2 and ß-adrenergic receptors, but not of the α1-adrenergic and 5-HT1A serotonergic receptors, in BCP's antidepressive-like activity. Furthermore, BCP increased BDNF levels in the hippocampus after 14 days of treatment. No treatments in this study altered locomotor activity in the open field test. CONCLUSION: This study provides a new mechanism of BCP-induced antidepressant-like effect mediated by some sub-types of catecholaminergic neurotransmitter system that could be a candidate for clinical tests of new treatments for depressive disorders.

Behavioral profile assessment in offspring of Swiss mice treated during pregnancy and lactation with caffeine.

The association between caffeine consumption and various psychiatric manifestations has long been observed. The objective was to assess the behavioral profile in offspring of Swiss mice treated during pregnancy and lactation with caffeine. For this purpose, two groups (n = 6 each and BW ~ 35 g) of female mice were treated during pregnancy and lactation by: tap water and caffeine solution at a concentration of 0.3 mg/mL through oral route. The offspring obtained, by completing 70 days of life, was underwent a behavioral battery test. Statistical analysis was performed by student t test and the different significance adopted was p < 0.05. According to our results, it was not found any significant differences in tail suspension and forced swimming tests. In anxiety related responses however, the mice of caffeine group had greater number of fecal pellets (178 %, p = 0.001) in the open field test, higher number of attempts (51 %, p = 0.03) in light-dark box and decreased percentage of entries in open arms (41 %, p = 0.01) in elevated plus maze test. Moreover, in the marble burying test, there was a significant decrease in the number of buried marbles compared with controls (110 %, p = 0,002). In the meantime, in the von Frey test, it was observed an exacerbation of mechanical allodynia both in basal conditions and after the carrageenan administration (p < 0.001). Furthermore, caffeine treatment during pregnancy and lactation causes long-term behavioral changes in the mice offspring that manifest later in life.

Involvement of the monoamine system in antidepressant-like properties of 4-(1-phenyl-1h-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester.

AIMS: Piperazinic derivatives have therapeutic potential by acting as analgesic, antidepressant-like, anticonvulsant and antipsychotic in preclinical studies. In order to develop new drugs to treat mental disorders, we designed and synthesized the 4-(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (PPMP), a new piperazine derivative with putative activities on central nervous system that seems to involve serotonergic system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to investigate the antidepressant-like activity of PPMP, mice were treated acutely and tested in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test. Pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 100 mg/kg, i.p., 4 days), and the non-selective blocker of catecholamine synthesis α-methyl para-tyrosine (AMPT, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) were used to assay the involvement of serotonergic and catecholaminergic systems. "Ex vivo" monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymatic assay and quantification of hippocampal level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were carried out. KEY FINDINGS: PPMP reduced the immobility time in both tests. PCPA or AMPT (100 mg/kg, i.p.) pretreatment blocked the effects of PPMP, thereby suggesting the involvement of serotonergic and catecholaminergic systems in the antidepressant-like effect of PPMP. PPMP did not inhibit the activity of MAO. Moreover, after 14 days of treatment, PPMP 15 mg/kg/day induced antidepressant-like effect and increased hippocampal level of BDNF. None of the treatments in this study altered the locomotor activity in the open field test. SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, PPMP demonstrates antidepressant-like effect that involve both serotonergic and catecholaminergic systems without inhibition of MAO activity. PPMP administration increased the hippocampal levels of BDNF.

Sodium selenite supplementation during pregnancy and lactation promotes anxiolysis and improves mnemonic performance in wistar rats' offspring.

Selenium is a micronutrient which is part of selenoprotein molecules and participates in a vast number of physiological roles and, among them,we have fetal and neonatal development. Therefore, the aimof this studywas to evaluate possible behavioral changes in offspring of female rats supplemented during pregnancy and lactation with sodium selenite. To address that, we treated two groups of female rats by saline or sodium selenite at a dose of 1mg/kg through oral route and performed neurochemical and behavioral tests. In the offspring, the thyroid profile and hippocampal neurochemistrywere evaluated. Behavioral testswere performed in pups both during childhood and adulthood. We found out that selenium (Se) supplementation increased serum levels of triiodothyronine (25%, p b 0.001) and thyroxine (18%, p b 0.05) and promoted a tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH 2) expression decrease (17%, p b 0.01) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression increase (202%, p b 0.01) in the hippocampus. The cholinesterase activity was decreased (28%, p b 0.01) in Se supplemented rats, suggesting a neurochemical modulation in the hippocampal activity. During childhood, the Sesupplemented offspring had a reduction in anxiety-like behavior both in elevated plus maze test and in light­dark box test. In adulthood, Se-treated pups had an increase in the locomotor activity (36%, p b 0.05) and in rearing episodes (77%, p b 0.001) in the open field test, while in the elevated plus maze test they also exhibited an increase in the time spent in the open arms (243%, p b 0.01). For the object recognition test, Se-treated offspring showed increase in the absolute (230.16%, p b 0.05) and relative index discrimination (234%, p b 0.05). These results demonstrate that maternal supplementation by sodium selenite promoted psychobiological changes both during childhood and adulthood. Therefore, the behavioral profile observed possibly can be explained by neurochemical changes induced by thyroid hormones during the critical period of the central nervous system ontogeny.

Antidepressive-Like Property of Dichloromethane Fraction of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus and Relevance of Monoamine Metabolic Enzymes.

Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus popularly referred to as craveiro is considered as a calming agent in different local preparations. The present study attempted to examine antidepressant-like effect of dichloromethane fraction (DF) and role of monoamine oxidase (MAO), tryptophan, and tyrosine hydroxylase. Based on the research focus, tail suspension (TS), forced swimming (FS), and open field (OF) tests were conducted after oral administration of DF (125, 250, or 500 mg/Kg). Ex vivo assay of MAO was also conducted to evaluate inhibitory effect of DF (250 mg/Kg). Administration of DF elicits antidepressant-like response in the TS and FS. However, DF 500 mg/Kg did not alter mice performance in these models. The data obtained in the OF showed a reduction in total crossing and rearing activity; these effects suggest motor interference in TS and FS performance. Mice pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA) (100 mg/kg, i.p.-serotonin biosynthesis inhibitor) for 4 consecutive days or acute administration of α-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT) (100 mg/kg, i.p.-catecholamine synthesis inhibitor) blocked anti-immobility effect of DF in the FS. In ex vivo assay of MAO, DF did not inhibit catabolic activity of MAO. Our findings support antidepressant-like activity of DF and suggest an effect that depends on monoamine biosynthesis.