Selective inhibition of MAO-A activity results in an antidepressant-like action of 2-benzoyl 4-iodoselenophene in mice.

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible antidepressant-like activity of 2-benzoyl-4-iodoselenophene (C17 H11 IOSe), a selenophene compound, in two well-consolidated behavioral assays for screening antidepressant activity (forced swimming test and tail suspension test) in mice. In order to investigate the mechanism of action of C17 H11 IOSe, it was investigated the activities of cerebral enzymes: monoamine oxidase MAO A and B and Na+ , K+ ATPase, and if an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis, p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) (100mg/kg) blocks the antidepressant-like effect of C17 H11 IOSe. Swiss mice received (C17 H11 IOSe) (5-50mg/kg) or canola oil by the intragastric (i.g.) route before behavioral tests. The results showed that C17 H11 IOSe at dose range of 5-50mg/kg decreased immobility time in the tail suspension test. In the forced swimming test, C17 H11 IOSe reduced the immobility time at the doses of 10 and 50mg/kg. C17 H11 IOSe differently affected the cerebral cortical Na+ , K+ ATPase; the effects on this enzyme were dependent of the dose tested. At a dose of 10mg/kg, the compound increased Na+ , K+ ATPase activity, while the activity was inhibited at a dose of 50mg/kg. pCPA blocked the antidepressant-like action of C17 H11 IOSe in mice. Therefore, C17 H11 IOSe (5-50mg/kg) selectively inhibited MAO-A activity in cerebral cortices of mice. The modulation of serotonergic system contributed to the antidepressant-like action of C17 H11 IOSe in mice.