Venlafaxine protects against stress-induced oxidative DNA damage in hippocampus during antidepressant testing in mice

► We studied the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of venlafaxine. ► Protection against hippocampal lipid peroxidation and DNA damage was investigated. ► In antidepressant doses venlafaxine protects against hippocampal lipid peroxidation. ► It also protects against stress-induced oxidative neuronal DNA damage. ► Antioxidant/DNA-protective actions share in the antidepressant effect of venlafaxine.