Evaluation of antidepressant-like effect of 2-pyrazoline derivatives

Abstract

Many studies have shown that pyrazoline derivatives have therapeutic potential as antidepressant drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of eight new 1-[(N,N-disubstituted thiocarbamoylthio)acetyl]-3-(2-thienyl)-5-aryl-2-pyrazolines that have previously been synthesized in our laboratory. Antidepressant-like activity was investigated in mouse forced swimming test (FST). Drug-induced effects on motor function were also tested by using digitized motor activity monitoring system. Shortened immobility time in FST was accepted as indicator of antidepressant-like activity. Results showed that three of eight pyrazoline compounds (1b, 1d, 1g) significantly shortened immobility time compared with control. Compound 1b was found to be more effective in FST than were clomipramine and tranylcypromine, used as reference antidepressant drugs. This compound also significantly increased horizontal motor activity, like clomipramine, compared with control mice. These results suggest that the N,N-disubstituted dithiocarbamate moiety of pyrazoline derivatives may have therapeutic antidepressant potential.