The Wistar-Kyoto rat model of endogenous depression: A tool for exploring treatment resistance with an urgent need to focus on sex differences

A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis

“…β-pinene did not induce detrimental effects on motor coordination (in the rotarod and traction tests) that were apparent in the diazepam treatment group, but caused a reduction in activity in the open field test compared to the controls ( 91 ). Two-weeks of treatment with α-pinene improved depressive-like behaviour (decreased immobility in the forced swim test) in Wistar-Kyoto rats ( 92 ), a rodent model of innate treat-resistant depression ( 93 ). The behavioural improvements were associated with increased markers of oxidative phosphorylation (mitochondrial function) in the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex, and increased hippocampal parvalbumin mRNA expression in the α-pinene treatment group ( 92 ), suggesting that this terpene exerts effects on GABAergic signalling in the rat brain, which could contribute to its anti-depressant effects.…”

“…Although essential oil treatment was without motor coordination side-effects observed in the diazepam group, it reduced activity in the open field test compared to the controls ( 91 ), which could suggest negative effects on aspects of locomotor, exploratory and/or anxiety-like behaviours and requires further examination. Similarly, Roman chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile) rich in α-pinene (2-weeks exposure by inhalation) improved depressive-like behaviour (decreased immobility in the forced swim test) and increased mitochondrial function in the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex, in a rodent model of innate treatment-resistant depression [Wistar-Kyoto rats ( 92 , 93 )]. Together, these findings demonstrate that α-pinene, as a component of essential oils, can penetrate the brain and induce alterations in behaviour, possibly via mechanisms involving regulation of dopamine and acetylcholine signalling, and anti-oxidant activity; however, this evidence is mostly limited to single studies.…”

“…Studies may potentially extend to examination of terpene efficacy in animal health [e.g., linalool exerts anxiolytic effects in horses and honeybees (122,148)]. Future research should emphasise examining treatment effects in both sexes, as most existing studies are male-dominant, while evidence demonstrates that medication therapeutic response, side-effects profiles and disease pathophysiology are effected by sex (93,(161)(162)(163).…”

Insights into a possible role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of depression

“…Administration of exendin-4 ameliorated stress-induced defecation, decreased visceral pain sensitivity and increased the serum level of anti-inflammatory cytokine: interleukin-13 in the Wistar–Kyoto rat strain, which was considered a model for irritable bowel syndrome [ 116 ]. However, this particular rat strain is also widely regarded as a valid model of endogenous depression [ 117 ].…”

Effect of Mentone® on depression- and anxiety-like profiles and regional brain neurochemistry in the adolescent Wistar Kyoto rat, a putative model of endogenous depression

“…Recently, a number of novel and experimental treatments have been introduced into clinical practice that appear to be effective for TRD. [20] The WKY model has recently [20] been suggested as a model for TRD. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a putative Ayurveda-based therapeutic on adolescent WKY rats in relation to anxiolytic and hedonic responses, use the FST as a predictive validity measure in juvenile rats, and separate and quantify regional monoaminergic levels of brain areas implicated in depression such as Prefrontal cortex (PFC), Striatum (Str), Nucleus accumbens (NAc) and Hippocampus (HC).…”