Effects of H1–receptor antagonists in antidepressant tests in rats

• Main Author: Chitra C.Khanwelkar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Al Ameen Medical College 2008-12-01
• Series: Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences
• Subjects: : Histamine; H1-antagonist; reserpine; methamphetamine; catalepsy; stereotypy; Porsolt’s behavioural despair test
• Online Access: http://ajms.alameenmedical.org/articel_vol2/AJMS.2.P-84-92-C.pdf

: Considering the vast data suggesting the role of brain histamine(HA) in behaviour,emotions,anxiety and depression;four H1-receptor antagonists; promethazine, diphenhydramine, cyclizine and pheniramine were subjected to antidepressant tests in rats. All H1 – antagonists behaved like antidepressants in animal tests. They antagonized reserpine induced catalepsy, potentiated methamphetamine induced stereotypy and reduced the period of immobility in Porsolt’s behavioural despair test. It is suggested that H1- antagonists might be inhibiting the modulating effect of endogenous brain HA on the brain monoamines. Thus H1- antagonists might be useful in a certain class of depressed patients.