The serotonin type 3 (5-HT(3)) receptor is unique among the seven recognized serotonin receptor "families". The existence serotonin type 3 receptor (5-HT(3)) in neuro-anatomical regions stimulated the research interest for novel therapeutic targets such as anxiety, depression, nociception and cognitive function. In the current study, (4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl) (quinoxalin-2-yl) methanone (QCF-3), a novel 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, with an optimal log P (the logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of the un-ionized solute in the solvents is called log P) and significant pA2 value (is a negative logarithm of the molar concentration of antagonist required to reduce the effect of multiple dose agonist to that of single dose) was screened for its anti-depressant potential using rodent behavioral models of depression. Psycho-pharmacological investigations involved acute and chronic treatment (14 days) with QCF-3 and assessment of behavior during the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice and olfactory bulbectomised rats. A dose response study in mice revealed an initial anti-depressant-like effect of QCF-3 (0.5-4 mg/kg, ip) in the FST and TST. Interaction studies showed that QCF-3 (1 and 2 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the antidepressant action of fluoxetine and bupropion in the FST and TST, respectively. QCF-3 (1 and 2 mg/kg) potentiated the 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) induced head twitches response in mice and reversed reserpine-induced hypothermia in rats. Further, OBX rats exhibited behavioral anomalies in the open field and hyper-emotionality tests that were attenuated by chronic QCF-3 treatment. In conclusion, this behavioral study describes an antidepressant-like effect of QCF-3 in rodent behavioral models of depression.

Aim:The aim of the study was to evaluate a novel 5 HT3 receptor antagonist (6g) on chronic stress induced changes in behavioural and brain oxidative stress parameter in mice. A complicated relationship exists among stressful stimuli, body's reaction to stress and the onset of clinical depression. Chronic unpredictable stressors can produce a situation similar to human depression, and such animal models can be used for the preclinical evaluation of antidepressants.Materials and Methods:In the present study, a novel and potential 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (4-benzylpiperazin-1-yl)(3-methoxyquinoxalin-2-yl) methanone (6g) with good Log P (3.08) value and pA2(7.5) values, synthesized in our laboratory was investigated to study the effects on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced behavioural and biochemical alterations in mice. Mice were subjected to different stress paradigms daily for a period of 28 days to induce depressive-like behaviour.Results:The results showed that CUMS caused depression-like behaviour in mice, as indicated by the significant (P < 0.05) decrease in sucrose consumption and locomotor activity and increase in immobility the forced swim test. In addition, it was found that lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, whereas glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities decreased in brain tissue of CUMS-treated mice. ‘6g’ (1 and 2 mg/kg, p.o., 21 days) and fluoxetine treatment (20 mg/kg, p.o., 21 days) significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the CUMS-induced behavioural (increased immobility period, reduced sucrose preference and decreased locomotor activity) and biochemical (increased lipid peroxidation; decreased glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities). However fluoxetine treatment (20 mg/kg, p.o., 21 days) significantly decreased the nitrite level in the brain while ‘6g’ (1 and 2 mg/kg, p.o., 21 days) did not show significant (P < 0.05) effect on the nitrite levels in brain.Conclusion:Compound ‘6g’ exerted antidepressant-like effects in behavioural despair paradigm in chronically stressed mice by restoring antioxidant mechanisms.

Background: Depression or Major depressive disorder (MDD) is prolonged condition of sadness. MDD is the most common mental disorder that affects more than 264 million people worldwide. According to monoamine hypothesis, serotonin (5-hydroxy tryptamine, 5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) are the major neurotransmitters (NTs) involved in depression. Method: The methodology adopted for writing this review article is essentially based on the secondary literature search through systematic literature review. This review mainly focussed on the role of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (5-HT3RA) in depression and comorbid disorder like anxiety. Results: Out of three major NTs mentioned above, serotonin has predominant role in the pathophysiology of depression. The serotonin type-3 receptors (5-HT3R) are well renowned to be expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) in regions which have significance in the vomiting reflex, perception of pain, the reward system, cognition, depression and anxiety control. The 5-HT3R is only receptor of serotonergic family that belongs to ligand gated ion channel. The 5-HT3RA inhibit the binding of serotonin to post synaptic 5-HT3R and increase its availability to other receptors like 5-HT1A, 1B and 1D as well as 5-HT2 receptors and produces anti-depressant-like effect. The 5-HT3RA also have important role in mood and stress disorders. Some of the studies have shown the effectiveness of these agents in stress disorder. Conclusion: The present article focused on the role of 5-HT3R and their antagonists in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Further studies are warranted to prove their efficacy with respect to other standard anti-depressants.

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