Effect of etidronate on depression paradigms in male Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats: An experimental study

Abstract

Objective: Bisphosphonates represent the first choice in the treatment of osteoporosis, and no data are available concerning their effects on comorbid behavior alterations. There are some contradictory reports regarding these drugs with respect to antidepressant activity in humans. Hence, the present study was planned to investigate the effects of etidronate in male Wistar rats and Swiss albino mice using depression paradigms, namely, forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Materials and Methods: Eighteen male Wistar rats and 18 male Swiss albino mice were brought and acclimatized 10 days prior to experimentation. Then, they were randomized into three groups: (1) control (distilled water), (2) standard (amitriptyline), and (3) test (etidronate). After treatment, the Wistar rats were subjected to FST while Swiss albino mice were subjected to TST to evaluate the antidepressant activity. Results: Etidronate showed significant decrease in the immobility time in both FST and TST when compared to that of control group. There was no significant decrease in the immobility time when compared between the standard amitriptyline and etidronate groups. Locomotor performance was tested using actophotometer for all the three groups taken in the study. Effects on locomotor activity showed no significant difference among all three groups. Conclusion: From the results, it is concluded that etidronate can have antidepressant activity. Based on experimental and observational studies, there appears to be a role of etidronate in depression.

Keywords

• Depression
• etidronate
• forced swimming test
• osteoporosis
• tail suspension test