Co-administration of subeffective anxiolytic doses of diazepam and hydroxyzine in elevated zero-maze in mice

Unveiling Niaprazine's Potential: Behavioral Insights into a Re-Emerging Anxiolytic Agent

Ongoing global research actions seek to comprehensively understand the adverse impact of stress and anxiety on the physical and mental health of both human beings and animals. Niaprazine (NIA) is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of piperazine derivatives. This compound has recently gained renewed attention due to its potential therapeutic properties for treating certain conditions such as anxiety. Despite its potential benefits, the behavioral effects of NIA have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine NIA's potential as an anti-anxiety and anti-stress agent. After administering either vehicle or NIA in their drinking water to mice for 14 days, we conducted behavioral analyses using the Marble Burying Test and the Elevated Plus Maze test. NIA-treated mice spend more time in the open arms and bury fewer marbles. Moreover, a stability study confirmed the linear relationship between NIA concentration and its response across concentrations encompassing the NIA mother solution and the NIA solutions administered to mice. Also, a preliminary synaptic toxicity analysis showed no direct damage to cortical nerve endings. Here, we show that NIA can modulate anxiety-related behaviors without significantly impacting exploratory activity or adverse effects. Our work describes new findings that contribute to the research on safer and more tolerable anxiety management options.

Evaluation of anxiolytic effects of aripiprazole and hydroxyzine as a combination in mice

Context:

Anxiety disorders are chronic, common, and often comorbid. There is an unmet need in its treatment. Aripiprazole and hydroxyzine are well-known therapeutic options used as monotherapy in clinics. They have different mechanisms and site of actions.

Aim:

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of aripiprazole and hydroxyzine in combination.

Materials and Methods:

Swiss albino mice (male) received treatment of 5% of Tween 80 in 0.9% saline (10 ml/kg; control group), “aripiprazole alone” (1 mg/kg), “hydroxyzine alone” (3 mg/kg), and aripiprazole (0.5 mg/kg) + hydroxyzine (1.5 mg/kg) through the intraperitoneal route.

Results:

The in vivo outcomes (elevated plus maze, light/dark transition, and marble burying tests) of hydroxyzine monotherapy-treated group showed a significant anxiolytic activity. The combination-treated group was found to be better than control and aripiprazole-treated groups. The combination-treated group showed a significant increase in the level of serotonin in different brain regions as compared to aripiprazole-treated group but not better than the hydroxyzine group. The in vitro results were in compliance with the in vivo results. The combinational approach was found to be beneficial in anxiolytic treatment as compared to aripiprazole monotherapy. However, hydroxyzine showed better anxiolytic activity when compared to control, aripiprazole monotherapy, and combination groups.

Conclusions:

The anxiolytic effect of combination-treated group was found to be better than aripiprazole monotherapy and lesser than hydroxyzine monotherapy.