Saccharina japonica Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Depression/Anxiety-Like Behavior by Inhibiting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in Dextran Sodium Sulfate Induced Ulcerative Colitis Mice

Abstract

Saccharina japonica is a common marine vegetable in East Asian markets and has a variety of health benefits. This study was focused on the anti-depressant/anxiety effects of Saccharina japonica ethanol extract (SJE) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mice and its potential mechanism in their brain. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with mesalazine and various doses of SJE (1, 2, and 4 g/kg body weight) for 2 weeks, followed by DSS treatment at the second week. The DSS-induced mice showed depression/anxiety-like behavior, which included shorter path length in the open field test and longer immobility time in the tail suspension test. L-SJE alleviated the depression-like behaviors. In the DSS-induced mice, reduced synaptic plasticity activated microglia, increased proinflammatory cytokines, decreased anti-inflammatory cytokine, and increased expression levels of Toll-like receptors-4, nuclear factor kappa-B, NOD-like receptors 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, and Caspase-1 were observed, most of which were alleviated by SJE treatment. Furthermore, all the SJE groups could significantly enhance superoxide dismutase activity, while the L-SJE treatment decreased the contents of malondialdehyde, and the H-SJE treatment inhibited apoptosis. All these results showed that the SJE might serve as a nutritional agent for protecting the brain in ulcerative colitis mice.

Nutrient combinations exhibit universal antianxiety, antioxidant, neuro-protecting, and memory-improving activities

“…It was also reported that there are links between anxiety, oxidative stress and neuron damage (19,20). Thus, we continued to investigate the central neuroprotective effect of nutrients.…”

Saccharina japonica Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis via Reshaping Intestinal Microenvironment and Alleviating Inflammatory Response

“…The preparation method of SJE was performed according to Dong et al (2021) [ 13 ] with slight modifications. In short, saccharin is ground into a powder using a mixer.…”

“…It has a long history of use not only as a food but also as a medicine, and it is an important source of marine drugs. Dong et al (2021) [ 13 ] found that Saccharina japonica extract (SJE) by the ethyl acetate phase was rich in fucoidan polyphenols, which have a strong ability to inhibit oxidase activity and scavenge free radicals. In addition, carbohydrates such as fucoidan polysaccharides contained in SJE can synergize with polyphenols to present better antioxidant activity [ 14 ].…”

Possible Effects and Mechanisms of Dietary Natural Products and Nutrients on Depression and Anxiety: A Narrative Review

“…It was found that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could downregulate the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and prostaglandin E-2, which ameliorated post-menopausal depression induced by chronic mild stress and maternal separation [ 42 ]. In addition, Saccharina japonica is a common marine vegetable in East Asia and its ethanol extract decreased the depressive symptoms of dextran sodium sulfate-induced mice by increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine and downregulating expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), NOD-like receptor 3, and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) [ 43 ]. Furthermore, apple phenolic extract improved lead acetate-induced depression-like behaviors through attenuating neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis, which was associated with the miR-22-3p/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) signaling pathway [ 39 ].…”

“…Grewia asiatica berry juice could improve depressive symptoms by decreasing oxidative damage in the brain through increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels [ 50 ]. Another study pointed out that Saccharina japonica ethanol extract decreased the depression-like behaviors of dextran sodium sulfate-induced mice by increasing the activity of SOD [ 43 ]. In addition, maqui berries had an anti-depressive effect against post-stroke depression by upregulating expression levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and enhancing the activities of SOD and catalase (CAT) [ 51 ].…”