Anxiolytic and sedative effects of 5-HT1A ligands, 8-OH-DPAT and MDL 73005EF, in mice.

The actions of the 5-HT1A receptor ligands, MDL 73005EF and 8-OH-DPAT, were assessed in mice. They were confronted with a free exploratory test especially adapted to reveal sedation, and with a two-box light/dark choice situation validated for the detection of anti-anxiety agents. Both drugs were found to have sedative properties at high doses and anxiolytic-like effects at lower doses. The results show that both drugs have a comparable profile of action to that of benzodiazepines in the two-box light/dark procedure. These findings are in line with earlier reports describing anxiolytic effects of 5-HT1A receptor ligands in different animal models of anxiety.