Genistein acts as antidepressant agent against chronic mild stress-induced depression model of rats through augmentation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

In this study, the antidepression effects of genistein were investigated in rats induced with chronic mild stress. Animals were designated into the following groups: normal control, control, 10 mg, and 100 mg. The dose was given for 45 consecutive days via the oral route. Sucrose preference analysis, forced swim, and open field tests were performed, and serum cortisol and monoamine levels in brain tissue were determined. The mRNA and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was also examined. Supplementation with genistein significantly increased the sucrose preference ratio, locomotor activity, and monoamines and decreased serum cortisol levels. The mRNA expression of BDNF in the brain tissue was substantially reduced by 0.73% in control rats. However, supplementation with genistein significantly increased BDNF mRNA expression (by 107% and 229.6% in groups 10 mg and 100 mg, respectively). Similarly, the protein expression of BDNF increased by 82.3% and 141.2% in groups 10 mg and 100 mg, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that supplementation with genistein may be effective against depression.