Evaluation of the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activity of α-spinasterol, a plant derivative with TRPV1 antagonistic effects, in mice

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor has recently gained attention as a new molecular target in the treatment of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. alpha-Spinasterol is a plant steroid that acts as a TRPV1 antagonist. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like properties of alpha-spinasterol in mice. The obtained results showed that alpha-spinasterol (at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg) exerted anti-immobility effect in mice subjected to the forced swim test. Furthermore, co-administration of an ineffective dose of alpha-spinasterol (0.5 mg/kg) with an ineffective dose of another TRPV1 antagonist - capsazepine (50 mu g/mouse) produced a synergistic effect in the forced swim test. This compound was, however, devoid of anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus maze (at doses of 0.5-2 mg/kg) and the light/dark box test (at a dose of 2 mg/kg) in mice. Of note, alpha-spinasterol did not produce significant changes in body temperature and did not alter spontaneous locomotor activity in mice. The present study adds further support to the thesis that antagonism of the TRPV1 receptors may produce antidepressant effects. alpha-Spinasterol may represent a new therapeutic approach towards the development of novel antidepressant therapy. However, further detailed studies on the antidepressant potential of alpha-spinasterol are warranted. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.