Antidepressant-like Effects of Polygonum minus Aqueous Extract in Chronic Ultra-Mild Stress-Induced Depressive Mice Model

Abstract

Depression is the most common behavior disorder that leads to many disabilities. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Polygonum minus (P. minus) aqueous extract on chronic ultra-mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive mice model. Chronic ultra-mild stress can disturb the neurotransmitters levels and plasticity of the hippocampus. Balb/c male mice were used in this study, which consisted of six groups (n = 14). Treatment was given for eight weeks, and chronic ultra-mild stress was applied for six weeks. Commercially available P. minus extract (BioKesum®) was used in this study. The behavior and neurochemical parameters were investigated through behavioral Tests and ELISA assays. P. minus administration significantly (p < 0.05) restored CUMS-induced behavior abnormalities, decreased the immobility time, and increased the sucrose preference and increased the spatial memory. P. minus treatment also showed the decreased level of serum corticosterone and increased the level of hippocampal neurotransmitters (Serotonin and Norepinephrine) significantly (p < 0.05). The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level also increased significantly in both the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (p < 0.05). P. minus treatment exhibited significant (p < 0.05) reduction of Monoamine Oxidase-A (MAO-A) in the hippocampus. These findings indicate that P. minus aqueous extract exhibits antidepressant effects, including decreased immobility time, increased spatial memory, reduced corticosterone, increased BDNF level, and reduced MAO-A enzyme level with increasing the monoamines (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the hippocampus.

Suppressive Effects of Isofraxidin on Depressive-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Mice

“…The CUMS process was executed with minor adjustments according to previous publications [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The CUMS groups were exposed to CUMS every day from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To make the procedure unpredictable, procedures were scheduled arbitrarily and altered weekly.…”

“…The SPT was administered using protocols previously reported with slight modifications [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Animals were deprived of food and drink for 12 h ahead of the test.…”

“…We assessed the actions of isofraxidin and CUMS on spontaneous locomotor activity using OFT, as described in previous reports [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The device was divided into 12 equal squares (500 × 500 × 500 mm).…”

“…The FST was carried out as previously reported with minor adjustments [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. In brief, animals were put individually in a transparent glass cylinder (200 × 200 mm) containing water at about 25 °C.…”

“…The effects of isofraxidin on neuroinflammation and oxidative stress suggest that it can prevent and cure depressive-like conditions. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive models are extensively utilized for testing antidepressant effectiveness [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. In this work, we sought to examine the effects of isofraxidin on depression in mice induced by CUMS.…”