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Is agmatine an endogenous anxiolytic/antidepressant agent?
Feyza Aricioglu1, Hale Altunbas
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Haydarpasa, Istanbul, Turkey. feyzak@turk.net
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|March 19, 2004
Summary
Agmatine, an endogenous amine, shows antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. This study investigated agmatine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Agmatine is an endogenous cationic amine with diverse biological effects.
- Its precise physiological role, particularly in mood disorders, remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential antidepressant and anxiolytic roles of agmatine.
- To compare agmatine's effects with a standard antidepressant, imipramine.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the forced swim test (FST) for antidepressant activity assessment.
- Employed the elevated plus maze (EPM) for anxiolytic activity evaluation.
- Administered varying doses of agmatine (10-100 mg/kg, i.p.) or imipramine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 minutes prior to behavioral tests.
Main Results:
- Agmatine significantly decreased immobility time in the FST, indicating antidepressant-like effects.
- Agmatine increased time spent in open arms of the EPM, suggesting anxiolytic-like properties.
- Observed dose-dependent effects of agmatine in both behavioral models.
Conclusions:
- Agmatine exhibits significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in preclinical models.
- As an endogenous substance, agmatine may play a modulatory role in anxiety and depression.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying agmatine's mood-regulatory actions.
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