Effects of cannabidiol in males and females in two different rat models of depression

Liat Shbiro, Danielle Hen-Shoval, Noa Hazut, Kayla Rapps, Shira Dar, Gil Zalsman, Raphael Mechoulam, Aron Weller, Gal Shoval*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

The current study explores the therapeutic potential of Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound in the Cannabis plant, using both sexes of 2 “depressive-like” genetic models, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats. Rats ingested CBD (30 mg/kg) orally. In the saccharin preference test, following a previous report of a pro-hedonic effect of CBD in male WKY, we now found similar results in female WKY. CBD also decreased immobility in the forced swim test in males (both strains) and in female WKY. These findings suggest a role for CBD in treating mental disorders with prominent symptoms of helplessness and anhedonia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)59-63
Number of pages5
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume201
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Mar 2019

Funding

FundersFunder number
Europacific Medical
National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel159-14-15
Kessler Foundation

    Keywords

    • Animal models of depression
    • Cannabidiol
    • Depression
    • Flinders Sensitive Line
    • Wistar- Kyoto rats

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