BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The present study evaluated the role of CB(2) receptors in the regulation of depressive-like behaviours. Transgenic mice overexpressing the CB(2) receptor (CB2xP) were challenged with different types of acute and chronic experimental paradigms to evaluate their response in terms of depressive-like behaviours. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Tail suspension test (TST), novelty-sup...

Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten. is widely cultivated in Jeju Island (South Korea) for use in manufacture of health foods. This study described antidepressant effect of two flavonoids (kaempferol and quercitrin) isolated from the Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten. The expression of the hypothalamic POMC mRNA or plasma β-endorphin levels were increased by extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. s...

Anxiety and depression are multifactorial disorders that have become prominent health problems all over the world. Neurotrophic factors have emerged underlying pathogenesis of these diseases. Although a number of studies indicate that the hippocampus-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in these psychiatric illnesses, little is known about the molecular mediators of these di...

Microcystin-FR a cyclic heptapeptide was isolated from Nostoc spongiaeforme and purified by thin layer chromatography, MALDI TOFF Ms and HPLC methods. The Swiss albino mice dosed with the sub lethal concentration of 0.8μg/kg body weight of microcystin-FR were subjected to a battery of behavioural depression models such as tail suspension test (TST), force swim test (FST) and elevated plus maze ...

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-depressant activity of Nymphaea Alba Flower (NAF) in albino mice. Forty eight adult albino mice (Swiss strain) weighing between 25-35gr were chosen. 24 animals were assigned to forced swim test (FST) and 24 o tail suspension test (TST).In each model there were 4 groups. The control group received vehicle (10 ml /kg, p.o.), the two test group...

The compound 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline (2-BFI) is a 2-imidazoline derivative that selectively inhibits the in vitro activity of monoamine oxidase-A and it is also an imidazoline I(2) agonist. However, the antidepressant potential of this compound and its mechanism of action have not been well defined. Therefore, in this study we investigated the antidepressant-like effect of 2-BFI in mic...

The recent rapid development of electronic communication techniques is resulting in a marked increase in exposure of humans to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This has raised public concerns about the health hazards of long-term environmental EMF exposure for fetuses and children. Some studies have suggested EMF exposure in children could induce nervous system disorders. However, gender-dependen...

Background: Parturition depression is an important physiological problem, and several attempts have been made to ascertain this phenomenon. Natural monoterpenes like α-pinene numerous beneficial properties, but no studies done on their antidepressant potential in postpartum animals. Objectives: This study aimed determine the effects of prenatal administration antidepressant-like behavior mice f...

BACKGROUND Recently, experimental zinc deficiency has been correlated with depression-like alterations in rodents. METHODS In the first part of present study, the time course of zinc deficient diet induced alterations in the tail suspension test (TST) in mice was investigated. In the second part, the effect of imipramine and escitalopram in control and zinc-deprived for 3 weeks mice was exami...

Ferulic acid (FA, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid) is a phytochemical compound naturally present in several plants and foods that is approved as an antioxidant additive and food preservative. It exerts a beneficial action in chronic mild stress-induced depressive-like behavior and produces an acute antidepressant-like effect in the tail suspension test (TST) through the activation of the serot...