Original Research Paper

An Experimental Study To Evaluate The Role Of Buprenorphine, Morphine And Naltrexone In Animal Models Of Depression

Abstract :

Background and Purposes: Opioids were used for centuries to treat mood disorders, among the opioids receptors, kappa opioid receptors recently (KOR) been focus for antidepressant drug development, this led to interest in selective KOR antagonist as potential therapy agents for depression. The current study examined the antidepressant like activity of buprenorphine, morphine and naltrexone alone and the combination of buprenorphine and morphine with naltrexone in animal models of depression.Experimental Approach: This is a twelve months Experimental randomized study in which all mice were subjected to Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Test (UCMS) for 4weeks followed by treatment periods of 2 weeks before they were subjected to the following behavioral test namely Sucrose preference test (SPT), Open Field Test (OFT), Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST). Results: Daily injection for 2 weeks of buprenorphine (1mg/kg,i.p), naltrexone (1mg/kg,i.p), buprenorphine and morphine in combination with naltrexone, produced significant reductions in FST and TST immobility time, these drugs also showed significant increase in sucrose consumption but only in 6th week of treatment periods suggesting of antidepressant like activity in chronic stressed mice. Although morphine (5mg/kg, i.p) increase sucrose consumption but the effect is insignificant, however its effect on FST and TST immobility time is significant. Buprenorphine and buprenorphine in combination with naltrexone showed significant increase in locomotor activity, more pronounce in the 6th week of the treatment period.Conclusion: This study supports the evidence that buprenorphine alone and its combination with naltrexone could represent a novel rapid-acting antidepressant medication.

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