Flunarizine as a potential repurposed drug for the serotonin transporter inhibition: an integrated approach for therapeutic development against major depressive disorder.

ABSTRACT: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious neuropsychiatric condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing significant psychological distress and lifestyle deterioration. The serotonin transporter, which plays a critical role in regulating the uptake of serotonin (5-HT) back into presynaptic cells, is a primary target for antidepressants. Though selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are still the pharmacologic treatment of choice, alternative methods remain in demand to enhance the efficacy of treatment and offer more therapeutic options. Drug repurposing provides an efficient solution to speed up antidepressant research because it identifies existing FDA-approved medications that might inhibit the serotonin transporter. A virtual screening method was integrated i

SUBMITTER: Elasbali AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12120357 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature