Agomelatine suppresses locomotor hyperactivity in olfactory bulbectomised rats: A comparison to melatonin and to the 5-HT 2c antagonist, S32006

Abstract

The novel melatonergic agonist/5-HT 2C antagonist agomelatine displays robust antidepressant properties in humans and is active in pre-clinical models predictive of antidepressant effects. In this study, we investigated its potential influence on the locomotor hyperactivity displayed by olfactory bulbectomised rats, a putative measure of potential antidepressant activity. In addition, we compared the actions of agomelatine to those of melatonin and S32006, a selective antagonist at 5-HT 2C receptors. Vehicle, agomelatine (10 and 50 mg/kg), melatonin (10 and 50 mg/kg), S32006 (0.16 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg) and the prototypical tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine (10 mg/kg), were administered by in..