Comparison of the Efficiency of Adeprophen and Antidepressants of Various Groups on the Model of Reserpine-Induced Depression in Rats.

A new (aryloxyalkyl)adenine derivative Adeprophen (9-[2-(4-isopropylphenoxy)ethyl]adenine, VMA-99-82) has a strong antidepressant effect on the model of reserpine-induced depression in rats (single dose 4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). This effect manifested in suppression of depression-like behavior in the Porsolt forced swimming test (shortening of immobility time and increase in immobility latency, number of jumping episodes, and time of active swimming) and sucrose consumption/preference test (increase in the consumption of 20% sucrose solution in g/100 g body weight and percentage of sucrose preference in relation to the total fluid preference). Adeprophen had a greater antidepressant effect than sertraline and fluoxetine, but was less potent than amitriptyline, imipramine, venlafaxine, and to a lesser extent to paroxetine.