Anti-depressant Activity of Carboxylate Derivatives for the treatment of Corticosterone and Lipopolysaccharide-induced depression in mice model

The objectives of present investigation include the evaluation of antidepressant activity of two hit compounds identified using in silico approach i.e. molecular docking. The identified hit compounds JC-41 and JC-42 exhibited depressive-like behavior caused by Corticosterone and LPS in mice model. The behavioral activities were evaluated for these two compounds by using open-field tail suspension (TST) and forced swimming (FST) tests. In addition, biochemical markers such as reduced glutathione, monoamine oxidase, corticosterone, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels were examined in serum. The results demonstrated that the compounds JC-41 and JC-42 significantly improved the behavioral activity as well as the metabolic parameters in the treated mice with depression. Both the compounds demonstrated significant antidepressant activity; however, JC-42 exhibited a superior response as compared to JC-41. To summarize, the results of the present study highlighted that both the compounds elevate symptoms resembling depression by diminishing oxidative stress and decreasing the levels of corticosterone and monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A).