Involvement of monoaminergic systems in the antidepressant-like effect of nobiletin

Nobiletin isolated from citrus peels up-regulates synaptic transmission and improves memory impairment in rodents. This study investigated the antidepressant-like effect of nobiletin in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Additionally, the monoaminergic mechanisms involved in the antidepressant-like effect of nobiletin in mice were also assessed. Nobiletin (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the immobility time in both the FST and TST without locomotor alterations in the open-field test (OFT). The anti-immobility effect of nobiletin (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was completely prevented by the pretreatment of mice with WAY 100635 (0.1 mg/kg, s.c., a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), cyproheptadine (3 mg/kg, i.p., a serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist), prazosin (62.5 μg/kg, i.p., an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist), SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, s.c., a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist) or sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p., a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist). On the other hand, the pretreatment of mice with yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist) or propranolol (5 mg/kg, i.p., a β-adrenoceptor antagonist) did not block the antidepressant-like effect of nobiletin in the TST. Taken together, the data demonstrated that nobiletin produced an antidepressant-like effect that seems to be dependent on its interaction with the serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. Thus, the present study suggests the therapeutic potential of this dietary flavonoid for the treatment of depression.

Research Highlights
► Nobiletin possesses an antidepressant effect in both the FST and TST in mice.
► Nobiletin causes no change in the locomotor activity in the OFT.
► The antidepressant effect via serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems.