RESUMO
The studies aimed to determine the antidepressant efficacy of single and chronic administration of dapoxetine alone and vortioxetine alone, as well as in the combination of these drugs. An additional objective of the study was to measure the effect of the active substances on the corticosterone level in chronically stressed animals. The study was conducted on male Wistar rats using nonstressed and stressed groups (chronic restraint stress). The experiment comprised both forced swimming test (immobility time test) and corticosterone level measurement using Corticosterone ELISA Kit. The obtained results confirm the antidepressant efficacy of used drugs upon both single and chronic administration and potential efficacy of these drugs administered in combination with stressed rats. Corticosterone level analysis, meanwhile, showed stress relieving properties of the study drugs, which reduced the animal stress hormone level, whether administered separately or in combination. Dapoxetine and vortioxetine have an antidepressant and stress relieving effect on rats subject to chronic stress both in monotherapy and in combined therapy. Because both study drugs are new additions on the market, further research is necessary to prevent interactions related, for instance, with uncontrolled use of two drugs with similar mechanisms of action but prescribed in different indications (dapoxetine is commonly used to treat premature ejaculation).