Repositioning of an anti-depressant drug, agomelatine as therapy for brain injury induced by craniotomy.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of agomelatine against craniotomy induced brain injury. The craniotomy was performed by a variable speed micro-motor dental driller of 0.8 mm drill bit. The present study, in addition to blood-brain permeability, brain water content (edema) and histological examination of the brain, also estimated locomotor activity, oxidant, and antioxidant parameters. Results show that the craniotomy induced increase in the blood-brain barrier permeability, brain water content (edema), oxidative stress (lipid peroxide and nitric oxide) and impaired antioxidant mechanisms (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione) in rats. The craniotomy was also found to increase neuronal cell death indicated by augmented chromatolysis and impaired locomotor activity. Administration of agomelatine after the craniotomy ameliorated histopathological, neurochemical and behavioral consequences of craniotomy. Thus agomelatine is effective against brain injury caused by craniotomy. PMID: 31534070 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Drug Discoveries and Therapeutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Drug Discov Ther Source Type: research