Locomotor-Reducing, Sedative, and Antidepressant-Like Effects of Confectionery Flavours Coumarin and Vanillin.

Coumarin and vanillin are compounds with comforting scents and are often used for flavouring confectionery. The locomotor-reducing, sedative, and antidepressant-like effects of coumarin and vanillin vapours administered via inhalation were investigated. Coumarin and vanillin showed all these effects. In particular, antidepressant-like effects were observed over a wide range of doses and were stronger than the positive control, fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). These results suggest that coumarin and vanillin may be suitable as antidepressant-like agents without strict dose control.