Publication:

Efficacy of 5HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron antidepressant activity in physical induced albino mice

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy of 5HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron antidepressant activity in physical induced swiss albino mice.

Methods Study was placebo controlled, randomized laboratory based comparative study with prior permission of Institutional animal ethical committee. Experimental animals were divided in to seven groups as control (distilled water 10ml/kg), standard Fluoxetine two doses (10mg/kg and 20mg/kg) , test drug ondansetron three doses (0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg and 2mg/kg) and combinations of test and standard (0.5mg/kg + 10mg/kg).The drugs were administered intraperitonium and antidepressant activity was recorded using physically induced depression models tail suspension test and despair swim test.

Results Ondansetron treated albino mice groups with dose dependent increase of 0.5mg/kg, 1.0mg/kg and 2.0mg/kg showed significant decrease in antidepressant activity and increase in catalepsy score when compared with fluoxetine 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg. Combination doses showed stastically significant antidepressant activity.

Conclusions The present study indicates ondansetron showed promising antidepressant activity due to its ability to modulate serotonergic system and has proved to be safe in the dose range of 0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg and 2mg/kg in mice.