title: N-palmitoylethanolamide, an endocannabinoid, exhibits antidepressant effects in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test in mice.
abstract: The antidepressant-like effects of N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a putative endocannabinoid, was investigated in mice using the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST). In TST, PEA (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) produced a statistically significant reduction in immobility (50, 32, and 34%, respectively, vs. the control group), whereas fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) reduced immobility by 38%. In FST, PEA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) produced a statistically significant reduction in immobility (15, 21, and 36%, respectively), whereas fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) reduced immobility by 18%. Moreover, PEA (20 mg/kg) did not significantly change motor activity in a spontaneous behavioral test. In conclusion, PEA (dose range of 5-40 mg/kg) administered orally reduced immobility in TST and FST, comparable to the antidepressant effect of fluoxetine, and had no effect on spontaneous activity in mice.
authors.affiliation: College of Basic Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133000, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xian-Qing
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Ying-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ying-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhe-Shan
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Xian-Yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000577:Amides; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010169:Palmitic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D010169:Palmitic Acids; D005473:Fluoxetine; C005958:palmidrol