Animal experiment:

Rats[1]In the first experiment the dose-related effects of Saredutant are investigated. The Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats (n=8) are treated with one of the following: vehicle (carboxymethylcellulose-CMC) or 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg Saredutant, or 5 mg/kg Desipramine as a positive control. Saredutant is injected at 1 mL/kg. The Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rats are given CMC or 3 mg/kg Saredutant. All injections are i.p. and are given for 14 consecutive days. Approximately 22 h after the last injections the rats are placed in the social interaction chamber with similarly treated rats for a 5-min recording. Then about 2 h later the rats are individually tested in the forced swim test for a single 5-min session[1].

Saredutant is a selective NK2 receptor antagonist.

Saredutant, an NK2 receptor antagonist, has both antidepressant-like effects and synergizes with desipramine in an animal model of depression. Saredutant has dose-dependent effects on swim test immobility, with the low dose of 1 mg/kg having no effect and the doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg significantly reducing immobility[1].

[1]. Overstreet DH, et al. Saredutant, an NK2 receptor antagonist, has both antidepressant-like effects and synergizes with Desipramine in an animal model of depression. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2010 Aug;96(2):206-10.