Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share By
Combination Therapy With Citalopram, Bupropion, and Lithium for the Amelioration of the Depressive-Related Effects Induced by Dexamethasone in Male Mice Publisher Pubmed



E Daliri ELMIRA ; Z Hamyani ZAHRA ; A Arjangi ALI ; F Khakpai FATEMEH ; S Alijanpour SAKINEH ; Mr Zarrindast Mohammad REZA
Authors

Source: European Journal of Pharmacology Published:2025


Abstract

Combination therapy is a proposed strategy in the treatment of depression. Therefore, this research was designed to evaluate the effects of drug combinations of citalopram, bupropion, and lithium on depression-related behaviors induced by dexamethasone (DEX) and aimed to detect the type of interaction among components. Depression-related behaviors were assessed by forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), as well as locomotor activity, was assessed using an open-field test (OFT) in male mice. Our results revealed that 24 h after DEX (8 mg/kg; intraperitoneally (i.p.)) administration, the immobility time of the FST and TST increased, proposing a depressive-related behavior. Moreover, 24 h after DEX administration, the number of the CA1 dark cells enhanced, and the level of plasma corticosterone, the primary glucocorticoid in mice, declined. I.p. administrations of lithium (8 mg/kg), bupropion (8 mg/kg) or citalopram (8 mg/kg) diminished the depression-related behaviors induced by DEX via reduction of immobility time in the FST and TST without affecting the locomotor activity, showing an antidepressant-related effect. All two-drug combinations, at subthreshold dosages, exerted antidepressive-related responses. Isobolographic analysis indicated synergistic antidepressant-related effects of citalopram plus bupropion, citalopram plus lithium, as well as bupropion plus lithium. These results suggest synergistic antidepressant-related behaviors of citalopram plus bupropion, citalopram plus lithium, as well as bupropion plus lithium on the amelioration of the depressive-related effects induced by DEX. Combination therapy with citalopram, bupropion, and lithium might be a novel therapeutic approach for depression treatment. However, additional investigations are needed to clarify the exact interactions between components. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Synergistic Effect Between Citalopram and Muscimol Upon Induction of Anxiolytic- and Antidepressant-Like Effects in Male Mice: An Isobologram Analysis, IBRO Neuroscience Reports (2024)
2. Effect of Citicoline and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Depressive-Like Behaviors in Mice & Quot, Behavioural Brain Research (2023)
3. The Role of Nitric Oxide–Cgmp Pathway in Selegiline Antidepressant-Like Effect in the Mice Forced Swim Test, Pharmacological Reports (2018)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Ahmad Reza Dehpour (7)
Anahita Torkaman-Boutorabi (1)
Other Related Docs
4. The Effect of Nitrazepam on Depression and Curiosity in Behavioral Tests in Mice: The Role of Potassium Channels, European Journal of Pharmacology (2016)
5. Lithium Attenuated the Behavioral Despair Induced by Acute Neurogenic Stress Through Blockade of Opioid Receptors in Mice, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy (2016)
6. Isobolographic Analysis of the Antidepressant Interaction in Two-Drug Combinations of Citalopram, Bupropion, and Scopolamine in Mice, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology (2022)
7. Interaction Between Citalopram and Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Anxiety and Depression Behaviors and Maintaining the Stability of Brain Pyramidal Neurons in Mice, Neuroscience Letters (2024)
8. Co-Administration of the Low Dose of Orexin and Nitrergic Antagonists Induces an Antidepressant-Like Effect in Mice, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy (2019)
9. Additive Effect of Histamine and Muscimol Upon Induction of Antinociceptive and Antidepressant Effects in Mice, Behavioural Pharmacology (2024)
10. Glatiramer Acetate Attenuates Depressive/Anxiety-Like Behaviors and Cognitive Deficits Induced by Post-Weaning Social Isolation in Male Mice, Psychopharmacology (2021)
11. Agmatine Enhances the Antidepressant-Like Effect of Lithium in Mouse Forced Swimming Test Through Nmda Pathway, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy (2017)
12. Influence of Citicoline on Citalopram-Induced Antidepressant Activity in Depressive-Like Symptoms in Male Mice, Physiology and Behavior (2018)
13. Synchronic Effect of Curcumin and Swimming Training on Depression Level in Morphine Dependent Male Mice, Journal of Medicinal Plants (2017)
14. Comparative Assessment of Antidepressant-Related Behaviors of Citalopram, Crocin, and Their Combination in Non-Acute Restraint Stress and Acute Restraint Stress Mice, IBRO Neuroscience Reports (2025)
15. Evaluation of the Pharmacological Involvement of Atp-Sensitive Potassium (Katp) Channels in the Antidepressant-Like Effects of Topiramate on Mice, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology (2019)
16. Involvement of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors in the Antidepressant-Like Effect of 5-Hydroxytryptamine 3 Antagonists in Mouse Forced Swimming Test and Tail Suspension Test, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior (2016)
17. Involvement of D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors in the Antidepressant-Like Effects of Selegiline in Maternal Separation Model of Mouse, Physiology and Behavior (2016)
18. Effect of Withania Somnifera Dunal Root Extract on Behavioral Despair Model in Mice: A Possible Role for Nitric Oxide, Acta Medica Iranica (2016)
19. Ketamine-Induced Antidepressant Like Effects in Mice: A Possible Involvement of Cannabinoid System, Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy (2019)
20. Evidence for the Involvement of Nmda Receptors in the Antidepressant-Like Effect of Nicotine in Mouse Forced Swimming and Tail Suspension Tests, Psychopharmacology (2015)