Anti-depressant-like activity of a novel serotonin type-3 (5-HT ₃) receptor antagonist in rodent models of depression

N-Cyclohexyl-3-methoxyquinoxalin-2-carboxamide (QCM-13), a novel 5-HT ₃ antagonist identified from a series of compounds with higher pA ₂ (7.6) and good log P (2.91) value was screened in rodent models of depression such as forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), interaction studies with standard anti-depressants and confirmatory studies such as reversal of parthenolide induced depression and reserpine induced hypothermia. In FST (2 and 4 mg/kg) and TST (2 and 4 mg/kg), QCM-13 significantly reduced the duration of immobility in mice without affecting the base line locomotion. QCM-13 (2 and 4 mg/kg) was also found to have significant interaction with standard anti-depressants (fluoxetine and bupropion in FST and TST respectively). Further, reversal of parthenolide induced depression in mice and reserpine induced hypothermia in rat models indicate the serotonergic influence of QCM-13 for anti-depressant potential.