Antidepressant activity of fosinopril, ramipril and losartan, but not of lisinopril in depressive paradigms of albino rats and mice

Abstract

Fosinopril, ramipril and losartan significantly decreased the duration (sec) of immobility in forced swim test and were comparable to amitriptyline. The duration of immobility were significantly decreased in fosinopril, ramipril and losartan in the tail suspension test and were comparable to amitriptyline. Only losartan significantly increased the rearing number of entries, time spent (sec) in open arm and in light area in comparison to control animals. Fosinopril and ramipril and not lisinopril showed significant antidepressant activity while losartan showed a significant antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. Present findings suggest that these drugs could be better antihypertensives in hypertensive patients with co-morbidity like depression or anxiety.