Anxiolytic activity of ferulic acid in the light-dark test in zebrafish

The anxiety disorders belong to a group of mental disorders in which the patients present excessive fear and worry. Studies with ferulic acid have shown positive results on treating depressive symptoms. As many antidepressive drugs are effective in treating anxiety, the objective of the present study was to evaluate ferulic acid’s anxiolytic activity and possible mechanism of action in the light-dark test in zebrafish. To evaluate anxiolytic activity, the light-dark preference test was performed after exposure of the animals to ferulic acid or positive control (clonazepam or fluoxetine). Ferulic acid increased the time spent in the clear compartment at concentrations of 250 and 500 mg/L, not differing from the groups exposed to clonazepam or fluoxetine. To evaluate the possible mechanism of action, pre-exposure to flumazenil was carried out, followed by exposure to ferulic acid or positive control, with subsequent testing. Pre-exposure to flumazenil caused a significant reduction in the time spent in the clear compartment of ferulic acid and clonazepam groups but did not alter the effect of exposure to fluoxetine. These results suggest that ferulic acid promotes an anxiolytic effect, possibly through an action at the benzodiazepine binding site at the GABAA receptor.

The pharmacological management of depression – Update 2017

Depression affects nearly 350 million people worldwide. Local data indicates that approximately 17% of all South Africans will experience at least one episode of depression in their lifetime. Depressive disorders contribute significantly towards overall morbidity and increased risk for suicide. Antidepressant therapy remains one of the cornerstones in the management of depressive disorders. Although the efficacy of antidepressive drugs is continuously subjected to criticism, thousands of controlled clinical trials have shown, and will continue to show, their benefit in the effective treatment of depressive disorders. Since the introduction of antidepressants in the early 1950s, researchers have been searching for an ideal antidepressant able to adequately reduce, preserve and prevent features of depression with the absence of side effects. This article summarizes the currently available antidepressant drugs in South Africa. Discontinued products have been omitted and newly registered agents have been added. This review does not contain reference to any experimental drug, or substances not yet available for local use.

Monitoring of biochemicals changes in antipsychotics and anti-depressive therapy

ObjectiveBiochemical changes in treatment of schizophrenic and bipolar disorders, in Albanian patients, with atypical antipsychotic and anti-depressive drugs. Some of the adverse effects related to their use are hyperlipidemia, hepatic enzymes, type 2 diabetes and CK level, which may result in development of metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate a possible increase of biochemical parameters, in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders treated with atypical antipsychotic and antidepressive drugs (Olanzapin, Risperidon, Clozapin, Antidepresiv triciclik, SSRI, SNRI).MethodsForty subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders were evaluated, 12 women and 28 men, aged between 17 and 72 years. Blood collection of the patients was taken in our laboratory and this values were measure in long treatment patients, after years of treatment. Analyses were perform in our laboratory with autoanalysator SAT 450.ResultsEvaluation after measurements showed significant differences when comparing the mean values obtained in each patients. The biochemical indicators of development of metabolic syndrome measured in our study, show that is an increasement of lipids panel, specially triglycerides and total cholesterol, also in glucose, CK level and hepatic enzymes, presenting statistically significant changes (P < 0.05) for prolong treatment.ConclusionWe conclude that the treatment with atypical antipsychotic and antidepressive drugs, promoted a substantial increasing of biochemical blood parameters. Lipids panel, hepatic enzymes, type 2 diabetes, CK levels are observed in among subjects evaluated.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Antiepileptic and Antidepressive Polypharmacy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are often suffering from neuropathic pain. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly used and are susceptible to be involved in drug interactions. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence of use of antiepileptic and antidepressive drugs in MS patients and to discuss the theoretical potential for interactions.Methods. Review of the medical records from all patients treated at a dedicated MS rehabilitation centre in Norway between 2009 and 2012.Results. In total 1090 patients attended a rehabilitation stay during the study period. Of these, 342 (31%; 249 females) with mean age of 53 (±10) years and EDSS 4.8 (±1.7) used at least one AED (gabapentin 12.7%, pregabalin 7.7%, clonazepam 7.8%, and carbamazepine 2.6%) or amitriptyline (9.7%). Polypharmacy was widespread (mean 5.4 drugs) with 60% using additional CNS-active drugs with a propensity to be involved in interactions. Age, gender, and EDSS scores did not differ significantly between those using and not using AED/amitriptyline.Conclusion. One-third of MS patients attending a rehabilitation stay receive AED/amitriptyline treatment. The high prevalence of polypharmacy and use of CNS-active drugs calls for awareness of especially pharmacodynamic interactions and possible excessive adverse effects.

ß-endorphins as Possible Markers for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

This study was performed in order to investigate possible role of brain beta-endorphins as markers of antidepressive drugs therapy monitoring. Experiment was done using amitriptyline and trazodone as antidepressants. For quantification of brain beta-endorphins we used RIA technique. Our results showed significant decrease of brain beta-endorphins concentration in drug-pretreated animals, vs. those in of control group treated with 0,95% NaCl. The lower values were obtained in trazodone pre-treated animals. This study shows that use of psychoactive drugs have influence on brain beta-endorphins concentration. beta-endorphins could be of great importance, used as markers for evaluation of patient treatment.

Effects Of Amitryptilin Administration on Rat Sera and Brain Beta-endorphins

The aim of our study was to establish the influence of antidepressive drugs on serum and brain beta-endorphins in experimental animals. Experiment was performed on albino Wistar rats. Antidepressant amitryptiline was used, and for quantification of sera and brain beta-endorphins RIA technique. Our results showed difference between sera and brain beta-endorphins concentration in amitryptiline pretreated animals, vs. those in serum and brain of control group treated with 0.95% NaCl. This study shows that use of psychoactive drugs have influence on sera and brain beta-endorphins concentration. Beta-endorphins could be of great importance, used as markers for evaluation of antidepressant drug effects.