Objective To study the effects of
imipramine and buspirone on
spontaneous motor activity, explorative behavior and isolation-induced
aggressiveness in mice. Methods Male Kunming mice were isolated for 38～45 days as an animal model of isolation-induced aggression. The isolated mice and group-housed mice were intraperitoneally (IP) administrated with normal saline or different doses of
imipramine or buspirone. The aggressiveness of isolated mice was measured 30 minutes after the administration. The exploration and
spontaneous motor activity in group-housed mice was measured with the apparatus of locomotion for mice (XZC-4A). Results (1)The latencies (±s) to attacking in imipramine (0, 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/kg) groups were (52±28), (67± 47),(132±87) and (228±94) seconds respectively, which showed imipramine could dose-dependently increase the latency to attacking and antagonize aggressive behaviors in isolated mice. However, imipramine of same doses did not affect spontaneous motor activity and explorative behavior in group-housed mice. (2)The latencies to attacking in buspirone (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) group were (215±74), (134±103) and (300±0) seconds respectively, which were significantly different from normal saline group (18±7)seconds and obviously inhibited aggression in isolated mice. Buspirone could also dose-dependently decrease spontaneous motor activity and explorative behavior in group-housed mice. Conclusion Both imipramine and buspirone are of antagonization against aggressive behaviors induced by socially isolation in mice.