Comparative Role of Paroxatine and Clomipramine on Anxiety in Mice Recovering from Stress

Stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. It is the body’s reaction to harmful situations whether they’re real or perceived. When stressed, a chemical reaction occurs in the body that allows it to act in a way to prevent injury. This reaction is known as “fight-or-flight,” or the stress response. During stress response, heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, and blood pressure rises. The present study investigated behavioral pattern between stress-induced mice and stressed mice treated with antidepressants (paroxatine and clomipramine) using open field apparatus and elevated-plus maze test. Twenty eight (28) Swiss Mice were divided equally into four groups i.e. Group one (control), Group two (stressed), Group three (stressed mice treated with paroxatine) and Group four (stressed mice treated with clomipramine). Animals in group-one were given normal feed and water only. Group two animals were also given normal rat chew and water and subjected to prolonged stress by social isolation, deprivation, confinement to small cages and exposure to bright light at night for a period of five weeks. Animals in group three were administered with paroxatine at a dose of 10mg/kg body weight orally for two (2) weeks after they were stressed for five-week, while animals in the group four were administered with clomipramine at the same dose orally for two (2) weeks after subjecting them to the same measure and duration of stress like those of group three. The treated groups were also allowed access to water and normal rat feeds throughout the experiment period. The four groups were then subjected to tests in both open field and elevated-plus maze apparatus. The results showed increased anxiety in the stressed mice compared to control. The groups stressed and later treated with paroxatine and clomipramine showed significantly reduced anxiety (P<0.05) compared to stressed mice. The group stressed and later treated with paroxatine showed reduced anxiety significantly compared to the group stressed and later treated with clomipramine (P<0.05). These were determined by grooming frequency and duration, rearing frequency as well as closed arm duration and head dip frequency in the EPM. Paroxatine and clomipramine administration resulted in significant improvement from anxiety after stress. Paroxatine caused a more significant improvement from anxiety than clomipramine in mice recovery from stress when the two agents were compared.

Keywords:Anxiety; Stress; Paroxatine; Clomipramine