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J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2024;13(4): 523-536.
doi: 10.34172/jhp.2024.51529
  Abstract View: 34
  PDF Download: 35

Review

Animal models for antidepressant activity assay on natural and conventional agents: A review of preclinical testing

Ani Kristiyani 1,2 ORCID logo, Zullies Ikawati 1* ORCID logo, Andayana Puspitasari Gani 3 ORCID logo, Zaenal Muttaqien Sofro 4 ORCID logo

1 Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sekip Utara, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Kristen Immanuel, Yogyakarta 55571, Indonesia
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sekip Utara, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
4 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55281
*Corresponding Author: Zullies Ikawati, Email: zullies_ikawati@ugm.ac.id

Abstract

Depression is characterized by symptoms such as insomnia, change in appetite and body weight, impaired concentration, lethargy, agitation, psychomotor retardation, anhedonia, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts. Various methods have been applied to assess the efficacy of antidepressants and associated molecular processes. However, guidance on the selection of methods for antidepressant testing is still lacking. This article provides a comprehensive review focusing on animal models of depression and the behavioral and molecular changes. A literature search was conducted on platforms, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Direct to find relevant articles. This review found that chronic unpredictable mild stress might be the best and most commonly used model for inducing depression and simulating human depressive states in animals. This model employs a naturalistic approach to expose animals to unpredictable stressors that disrupt homeostasis and cause somatic, physiological, neurobiological, and biochemical disorders and behaviors. The forced swim test (FST) is the most frequently used simple behavioral testing method that is consistent with antidepressant effects, reduces immobility time, and serves as the leading indicator of antidepressant effectiveness. The most commonly observed molecular changes are those related to the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which are the main etiological contributors to depression. The findings from this review will contribute to ongoing efforts to discover and develop drug candidates for the treatment of depression.

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:

This review highlights the preclinical methods used in research on antidepressants in animals to observe behavioral and molecular changes. The results will serve as a valuable method development guide for researchers.

Please cite this paper as: Kristiyani A, Ikawati Z, Gani AP, Sofro ZM. Animal models for antidepressant activity assay on natural and conventional agents: A review of preclinical testing. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2024;13(4):523-536. doi: 10.34172/jhp.2024.51529.

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Submitted: 02 Apr 2024
Accepted: 20 Jul 2024
ePublished: 01 Oct 2024
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