Indian scientists find a new better drug to treat depression and anxiety

Psychological disorders that affect mood, emotion, and cognition are a rising global health concern. These include depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cerebral ischemic stroke. Indian scientists have found a new compound that is an effective drug against these central nervous system disorders.

The compound is called 2-oxa-spiro [5.4] decane#3, and acts specifically on nerve cells, also inhibits their inflammation. It showed potent anti-depression and anti-anxiety activity in various animal models. 

“The new compound has the potential to be advanced as a versatile therapeutic molecule to treat stroke, depression, and possibly other neuropsychiatric disorders”, say scientists. 

According to WHO more than 300 million people globally of all ages suffer from depression. Giving the new drug increased social interaction, loss of which is a hallmark of depression. It was non-toxic and more effective than fluoxetine, a commonly used anti-depressant.

This research was initiated under an Indo-French collaboration called Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry at Interfaces and Joint Laboratory for Natural Products and Synthesis towards Affordable Health. The research team consisted of Pranav Chintamani Joshi, Ramesh Samineni, Dwaipayan Bhattacharya, Bommana Raghunath Reddy, Lenin Veeraval, Tapatee Das, Swati Maitra, Abhipradnya Bipin Wahul, Shailaja Karri, Srihari Pabbaraja, Goverdhan Mehta, Arvind Kumar, and Sumana Chakravarty. They published their results in a recent issue of the journal Scientific Reports.

It is a joint effort of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Hyderabad, and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, and Academy ofScientific and Innovative Research in New Delhi. 

This story was published by CatchNews, YahooNews, BioVoice, IndianScienceJournal, MedicalDialogues, and India Science Wire.

Reference: Scientific Reports 7: 1492.