Abstract

Background: Compromises in the cellular enzymatic defense barrier can increase the duration of exposure to electrophiles and the severity of toxicity they may incur.

Objective: In this mini-review, we discuss the inhibition of the enzymatic defense systems by different antidepressants commonly prescribed worldwide as well as herbal products used for various forms of depression.

Methods: Our work primarily focused on the interactions of two prominent biotransformation enzyme systems, namely glutathione S-transferases and cholinesterases, with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and hypericin.

Results: The antidepressants exert considerable inhibitory effects against glutathione -transferases and butyrylcholinesterase.

Conclusion: The outcomes of available published studies and their implications for health and disease are discussed here in detail.

Keywords: Major depression, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, hypericin, glutathione S-transferases, cholinesterases.

Graphical Abstract