Traxoprodil augments the antidepressant-like activity of agomelatine but not of mianserin or tianeptine in the forced swim test in mice.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of our study was to evaluate the influence of traxoprodil on the activity of the atypical antidepressant drugs (agomelatine, mianserin, tianeptine).

METHODS: The forced swim test (FST) in mice was used to determine the antidepressant-like activity of the tested agents. Drugs levels in brain tissue were assessed by a high performance liquid chromatography method.

RESULTS: Concurrent intraperitoneal administration of per se ineffective doses of traxoprodil (10mg/kg) and agomelatine (20mg/kg) shortened the immobility time of animals in the FST. The observed effect was associated with elevated brain levels of traxoprodil. Similar interaction was not detected for traxoprodil and mianserin (10mg/kg) or tianeptine (15mg/kg).

CONCLUSION: Traxoprodil-agomelatine interaction is pharmacokinetic in nature. A combination of these agents has a potential to become an interesting strategy in the treatment of depression.