N-palmitoylethanolamide, an endocannabinoid, exhibits antidepressant effects in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test in mice

Pharmacol Rep. 2011;63(3):834-9. doi: 10.1016/s1734-1140(11)70596-5.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Amides
  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / pharmacology
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Ethanolamines
  • Exploratory Behavior / drug effects
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology
  • Hindlimb Suspension
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Palmitic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Palmitic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Swimming

Substances

  • Amides
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Ethanolamines
  • Palmitic Acids
  • Fluoxetine
  • palmidrol