The folic acid combined with 17-β estradiol produces antidepressant-like actions in ovariectomized rats forced to swim

► In this study, we studied the effects of folic acid in the forced swimming test. We administered folic acid alone and confirmed that folic acid has antidepressant-like properties. ► We also administered folic acid combined with estradiol or with fluoxetine (two antidepressant drugs) and discovered that folic acid combined its subthreshold dose with the subthreshold dose of estradiol or fluoxetine and they produce antidepressant-like actions. ► These results are very important since they offer a therapeutic option for the depressive people. However, these results are pre-clinic and further experiments should be performed before arriving at definitive conclusions.