Captopril lacks the antidepressant-like activity in animal models

Captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, was evaluated for a potential antidepressive activity in several animal models. The drug administered in doses of 3-30 mg/kg ip neither affected the reserpine- or apomorphine-induced hypothermia in mice nor reduced the immobility time in the forces swimming test in mice and rats. Moreover, captopril administered repeatedly (10 mg/kg ip, twice daily for 14 days) neither changed the density or affinity of cortical beta-adrenoceptors nor modified the nomifensine-induced locomotor hyperactivity in rats. These results suggest that captopril has no antidepressant-like activity in animal models.