Dopaminergic system contribution to the antidepressant-like effect of 3-phenyl-4-(phenylseleno) isoquinoline in mice

[Display omitted] •A single PSI dose selectively inhibited the cerebral MAO-B activity in mice.•PSI demonstrated an antidepressant-like effect in mice.•Dopamine receptors are involved in the antidepressant-like effect of PSI in mice. Depression is a serious disorder characterized by imbalance of mood and emotions, which is accompanied by the reduction in the monoaminergic signaling. The monoamine oxidase inhibition could lead to an increase in monoaminergic neurotransmitter levels in the brain. According to our previous study, 3-phenyl-4-(phenylseleno) isoquinoline (PSI) is a selective and reversible MAO-B inhibitor in vitro. The present study investigated the putative ex vivo inhibitory effect of a single PSI dose on the cerebral MAO activity and its antidepressant-like action in the mouse forced swimming test (FST). Additionally, the dopaminergic system contribution to the antidepressant-like effect of PSI was also evaluated. For this, PSI was dissolved in canola oil to determine time-course (0.5–24 h) and dose-response (25–100 mg/kg, 10 ml/kg, intragastrically) curves of MAO activity inhibition using adult C57Bl/6 male mice. A single PSI dose of 100 mg/kg inhibited the MAO-B activity in the whole brain 8 h after administration to mice, while it did not alter the MAO-A activity. The FST was carried out 0.5, 8, and 24 h after the PSI administration (100 mg/kg) or vehicle, but its antidepressant-like effect was demonstrated only at 0.5 and 8 h after treatment. Lastly, the contribution of dopaminergic system in the PSI antidepressant-like effect was demonstrated by using dopamine receptors antagonists, SCH23390, haloperidol and sulpiride. Thus, a single PSI dose of 100 mg/kg had an antidepressant-like effect in mice subjected to the FST 0.5 and 8 h after its administration. Moreover, the inhibition of cerebral MAO-B activity and modulation of dopamine receptors contributed to the antidepressant-like effect of PSI in mice.