Caffeine augments the antidepressant-like activity of mianserin and agomelatine in forced swim and tail suspension tests in mice

Abstract

Background: The main goal of this research was an evaluation of the influence of caffeine on the activity of mianserin and agomelatine.

Methods: The mouse forced swim test and tail suspension test were used to determine the influence of caffeine on the activity of the tested drugs. Drug concentrations in serum and brains were estimated by HPLC.

Results: Caffeine increases the anti-immobility action of mianserin and agomelatine. The observed effects were not associated with changes in the level of drugs in serum or brains.

Conclusion: The synergistic effect of caffeine and the tested drugs may be associated with their summative actions on monoaminergic neurotransmission. Caffeine-mianserin and caffeine-agomelatine interactions might have been of pharmacodynamic origin.

Keywords: Antidepressant drugs; Caffeine; Forced swim test; Mice; Tail suspension test.