Effects of cannabidiol in males and females in two different rat models of depression

Physiol Behav. 2019 Mar 15:201:59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.12.019. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Abstract

The current study explores the therapeutic potential of Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound in the Cannabis plant, using both sexes of 2 "depressive-like" genetic models, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats. Rats ingested CBD (30 mg/kg) orally. In the saccharin preference test, following a previous report of a pro-hedonic effect of CBD in male WKY, we now found similar results in female WKY. CBD also decreased immobility in the forced swim test in males (both strains) and in female WKY. These findings suggest a role for CBD in treating mental disorders with prominent symptoms of helplessness and anhedonia.

Keywords: Animal models of depression; Cannabidiol; Depression; Flinders Sensitive Line; Wistar- Kyoto rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cannabidiol / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Food Preferences / psychology
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred WKY
  • Saccharin / pharmacology
  • Swimming / psychology

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Cannabidiol
  • Saccharin