Resveratrol as an add on therapy to sertraline in animal models of depression.

BACKGROUND

Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is a leading antidepressant. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with diverse biological activities, including antidepressant-like effects. In this study we evaluated the individual and combined antidepressant effects of resveratrol and sertraline alongwith effect of resveratrol on sertraline serum levels.

METHODS

Tail Suspension Test (TST) and Forced Swim Test (FST) were used to study the antidepressant effect in adult male albino mice which were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was treated with sertraline, group 2 with resveratrol, group 3 and 4 with sertraline (different doses) and resveratrol, and group 5 was given vehicle control only. Serum sertraline levels were estimated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mean increase in time to immobility in TST and mean reduction in immobility in FST of the animal(s) were compared.

RESULTS

Combination of sertraline and resveratrol demonstrated the maximum antidepressant effect followed by sertraline and resveratrol only groups. Serum sertraline levels were higher in the combination group as compared to sertraline only group.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol demonstrated antidepressant effects in this study and also had an additive effect on the effect of sertraline. It's addition also increased serum sertraline levels.