Evaluation of Potentiation Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on the Antidepressant Efficacy of Escitalopram in Albino Rats
Amberkar Mohanbabu Vittalrao1, Saurabh Agarwal2, Meena Kumari Kamalkishore1* and Basavaraj Poojar3

1Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal,Karnataka, India –576104.

2Medical Science Liaison,Sanofi Pasteur India Pvt.Ltd,Dalibagh,Lucknow-226001.

3Basavaraj Poojar-Department of Pharmacology,Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India-575001.

Corresponding Author E-mail: mini41178@yahoo.co.in

Abstract: Depression is a common problem worldwide since the ages. Mostly it is treated with Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) but they are not effective in each and every patient. Hence other methods for better effective ways to treat depression are needed. This study was divided as acute and chronic study. Each containing five groups control, escitalopram (standard),omega -3 fatty acid (FA),escitalopram + omega -3 FA (2 doses).A 15 min pretest was done followed 24h later by a 5 min test.Various models of depression were used and biochemical analysis was done. In acute study there was no significant potentiation effect seen .In chronic study there was significant potentiation effect of omega 3 FA. Based on the results we conclude omega 3 fatty acid can be considered as a part of therapeutic use along with escitalopram. Further clinical studies may be required to validate the results of this study.

Keywords: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; Forced swimming test; Open-field test; Splash test; depression

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