Antidepressant-like profile and MAO-A inhibitory activity of 4-propyl-2H-benzo[h]-chromen-2-one

Aims To evaluate the central nervous pharmacological profile of 4-propyl-2H-benzo[h]-chromen-2-one (FCS-304) in ICR mice and its monoamine oxidase inhibitor activity. Main methods FCS-304 was evaluated in screening test of central nervous system in ICR mice and against MAO activity. Key findings FCS-304 (25–200mg/Kg, p.o.) significantly reduced immobility time during the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), but did not show effects in the rota-rod tests, maximal electroshock seizures (MES), pentylenetetrazole seizures, light–dark box, barbiturate sleeping time and cold plate tests. Furthermore, FCS-304 inhibited monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) with IC50: 2.28±0.15µM, but not MAO-B. Significance These results suggest that FCS-304 could elicit antidepressant effects related to MAO-A inhibitory activity.