Antianxiety profile of ondansetron, a selective 5-HT3 antagonist, in a novel animal model

Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Mar;19(2):107-11.

Abstract

The profile of action of ondansetron was assessed in a novel animal model of anxiety. The mirrored chamber is a nonpunishing quantitative model of anxiety which measures approach-conflict behavior. Ondansetron in all the doses tested (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg i.p.) showed significant anxiolytic action as compared to naive mice, but it was less potent as compared to a well-known anxiolytic, diazepam (1 mg/kg). These results suggest that ondansetron has anxiolytic efficacy in nonconflict paradigms of anxiety, a response not mediated by the conventional neurotransmitter receptors. GABA-benzodiazepine as flumazenil (4 mg/kg), a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, failed to reverse the behavioral parameters evoked by ondansetron.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anxiety / drug therapy
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Diazepam / pharmacology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Flumazenil / pharmacology
  • GABA Modulators / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Ondansetron / pharmacology*
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • GABA Modulators
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Flumazenil
  • Ondansetron
  • Diazepam