Indian scientists discover new drug for depression and anxiety

By Bhavya Khullar

New Delhi: 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 can be a potential drug against such central nervous system disorders.

The new compound named “2-oxa-spiro 5.4 decane3”, acts specifically on nerve cells and also inhibits their inflammation. It has shown potent anti-depression and anti-anxiety activity in various animal models.

“It compound has the potential to be advanced as a versatile therapeutic molecule to treat stroke, depression, and possibly other neuropsychiatric disorders”, scientists have claimed in their study published in journal Scientific Reports.

The compound has been found to be non-toxic and more effective than commonly used anti-depressant, fluoxetine. It enhanced social interaction in animal tests.

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’. It is a joint effort of Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Hyderabad, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research.

The research team includes 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. (India Science Wire)