Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Department of Narcotics, Poisons and Ergogenic Aids, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
J Food Biochem. 2022 Aug;46(8):e14164. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.14164. Epub 2022 Mar 29.
This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of aqueous extracts of miswak (Salvadora persica) and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and their combination on depression-like behaviors using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model of depression and to investigate the underlying possible mechanisms. Results showed that CUMS induced depression-like behaviors and anxiety in male rats, as determined by behavioral tests (FST, EPM, and OFT). CUMS significantly increased the levels of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), cortisol, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), in addition to enhancing acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) activity while plasma total antioxidant capacity and serotonin level were reduced. In the prefrontal cortex, CUMS decreased the expression of CREB and BDNF mRNA. However, aqueous extracts of miswak and date palm and their combination effectively ameliorated depressive-like behaviors, body weight loss, and oxidative stress induced by CUMS and restored serotonin and cortisol secretion to normal levels. Furthermore, the studied extracts improved the levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines and CREB and BDNF mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex. In conclusion, aqueous extracts of miswak and date palm have significant antidepressant-like effects on depression-like behaviors in CUMS model in rats. Moreover, their combination has higher antidepressant-like effects than either extract alone, suggesting that it may be an effective treatment for stress-induced depression-like behaviors acting through modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and CREB/BDNF signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Chronic stress is a major contributor to the development of depression. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of herbal remedies for the treatment of a variety of diseases, particularly mood disorders. Because of the side effects encountered by antidepressant drugs such as anxiety, sexual dysfunction, loss of appetite, and inadequate response or developing tolerance to these medications, there is a need for more efficient and convenient antidepressant treatments. According to this study, aqueous extracts of miswak and date palm are effective treatments for stress-induced depression-like behaviors.
本研究旨在评估采用慢性不可预测轻度应激（CUMS）大鼠抑郁模型，使用迷迭香（Salvadora persica）和枣椰树（Phoenix dactylifera）水提取物及其组合治疗抑郁症的抗抑郁样作用，并探讨其潜在的可能机制。结果表明，行为测试（FST、EPM 和 OFT）表明，CUMS 诱导雄性大鼠出现抑郁样行为和焦虑。CUMS 显著增加了血浆丙二醛（MDA）、皮质醇和促炎细胞因子（TNF-α和 IL-6）的水平，同时增强了乙酰胆碱酯酶（ACHE）的活性，而血浆总抗氧化能力和血清素水平降低。在额皮质中，CUMS 降低了 CREB 和 BDNF mRNA 的表达。然而，迷迭香和枣椰树的水提取物及其组合有效改善了 CUMS 引起的抑郁样行为、体重减轻和氧化应激，并将血清素和皮质醇分泌恢复到正常水平。此外，研究提取物提高了额皮质中血浆促炎细胞因子和 CREB 和 BDNF mRNA 的表达水平。综上所述，迷迭香和枣椰树的水提取物对 CUMS 模型大鼠的抑郁样行为具有显著的抗抑郁样作用。此外，它们的组合比单独使用任何一种提取物具有更高的抗抑郁样作用，表明它可能是一种有效的应激诱导抑郁样行为治疗方法，通过调节额皮质中的促炎细胞因子和 CREB/BDNF 信号通路发挥作用。
慢性应激是抑郁症发展的主要原因之一。近年来，人们越来越多地使用草药疗法来治疗各种疾病，特别是情绪障碍。由于抗抑郁药物如焦虑、性功能障碍、食欲不振以及对这些药物的反应不足或产生耐受性等副作用，因此需要更有效和方便的抗抑郁治疗方法。根据这项研究，迷迭香和枣椰树的水提取物是应激诱导的抑郁样行为的有效治疗方法。
