Objective: To evaluate the behavioral effect of pyridoxine on the antidepressant action of imipramine.
Methods: Male Wistar albino mice of weights 25-35gms were used. Two experiments were carried out; the first on the acute effect of pyridoxine on the duration of immobility, and the second on the sub-chronic effects of pyridoxine alone and in combination with imipramine. In the first experiment, 4 groups of animals received saline, 65, 125, and 250mg/kg pyridoxine. Forced swimming test (FST) was performed 30 minutes after drug administration. In the second experiment, 6 groups of mice were used. The first group received saline, the second group received imipramine 10 mg/kg, the third group received pyridoxine 65mg/kg, the fourth group received pyridoxine 250mg/kg, the fifth group received combined treatment of imipramine and pyridoxine 65 mg/kg, while the sixth group received a combined treatment of imipramine and pyridoxine 250 mg/kg. Administration of drugs was at 24, 5, and one hour before the test. This work was carried out in the Biotechnology Research Center, Twisha, Libya, in June 2007.
Results: Acute administration of pyridoxine did not change the duration of immobility compared to the control group. Sub-chronic administration showed that pyridoxine (65mg/kg) did not change the immobility time, while a higher dose of pyridoxine (250mg/kg) decreased the immobility time. Imipramine at 10mg/kg reduces the immobility time significantly. Pyridoxine did not change imipramine action.
Conclusion: Pyridoxine alone may produce an antidepressant effect. Pyridoxine in combination with imipramine did not change the imipramine action.