Non-Feminizing Estrogens Do Not Exhibit Antidepressant-like Activity.

In this exploratory study, we performed an evaluation of non-feminizing estrogens as lead compounds for the safe treatment of menopausal symptoms. Despite confirming an enhancement of antioxidant potency as a consequence of increased lipophilicity of the prototype structures, our analyses have revealed serious shortcomings regarding pharmaceutically important properties and drug-likeness. In addition, our assessment in an animal model of estrogen deprivation has confirmed that genomic mechanisms are required for the alleviation of menopause-associated depression. Therefore, non-feminizing estrogens are not suitable to fulfill their implicated premise to address unmet needs to treat neurological and psychiatric conditions associated with estrogen deprivation of the brain.