STUDY OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF TRAMADOL AND WHEN IT IS CO-ADMINISTERED WITH FLUOXETINE IN LOW DOSES IN SWISS ALBINO MICE USING DESPAIR SWIM TEST

Objective– To evaluate the antidepressant activity of chronic administration of Tramadol alone and when combined with Fluoxetine in low doses in albino mice. Methods– The antidepressant effect was determined by recording the immobility time in Despair Swim Test. The mice were randomized into seven groups, with six mice in each group. Group 1 mice were given normal saline (10 ml/kg) which served as control. Mice of groups 2, 3 and 4 received Tramadol in graded doses (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg). Fluoxetine (standard drug) was given to mice of groups 5 and 6. Tramadol and Fluoxetine in low doses (10ml/kg each) were co-administered to mice of group 7.All drugs were given intraperitoneally for 7 days and were subjected to despair swim test on the day 7 of drug administration. Results– Tramadol and Fluoxetine have shown significant antidepressant activity when compared to the control. There is dose dependant increase in antidepressant activity of Tramadol. The antidepressant of Tramadol 20 mg/kg was comparable to Fluoxetine 20 mg/kg. Tramadol potentiated the antidepressant effect of Fluoxetine in the low dose combination group. Conclusion– The present indicates that Tramadol, a opoid analgesic has anti depressant activity and it can potentiate the antidepressant effect of Fluoxetine when combined in low doses