The Antidepressant-like Effect of Flavonoids from Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seeds in Chronic Restraint Stress Mice via Modulation of Monoamine Regulatory Pathways

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) seeds flavonoids (FSF) have diverse biological activities, while the antidepressant-like effect of FSF has been seldom explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of FSF and to identify the potential molecular mechanisms. LC-MS/MS was used for the determination of FSF. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) was used to establish the animal model of depression. Observation of exploratory behavior in the forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and sucrose preference test (SPT) indicated the stress level. The serum corticosterone (CORT) level was measured. The monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT, NE and DA) and their metabolites, as well as monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) enzyme activity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum, were evaluated. The protein expression levels of KLF11, SIRT1, MAO-A were also determined by western blot analysis. The results showed that FSF treatment significantly reversed the CRS-induced behavioral abnormalities, including reduced sucrose preference and increased immobility time. FSF administration markedly restored CRS induced changes in concentrations of serum corticosterone, prefrontal cortex neurotransmitters (NE, 5-HT and DA), hippocampus neurotransmitters (NE, 5-HT and DA) and striatum neurotransmitters (NE). FSF treatment exhibited significant inhibition of MAO-A activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. FSF also significantly down-regulated the KLF11, SIRT1 and MAO-A protein expression levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These findings indicate that FSF could exhibit an antidepressant-like effect by down-regulating the KLF11/SIRT1-MAO-A pathways, inhibiting MAO-A expression and activity, as well as up-regulating monoamine neurotransmitters levels.

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“…The extract also inhibited MAO-A activity as well as downregulating the KLF11, SIRT1, and MAO-A protein expression levels in the PFC and hippocampus. These results justify the role of flavonoids in the antidepressant-like effects of this species [364]. Uncaria lanosa var.…”

Nutritional and therapeutic properties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): a review

“…Additionally, the activities of different neurotransmitters have also been influenced in a positive way such as decreased MAO activity. [39] These studies support the evidence that fenugreek compounds possess momentous neuroprotective effect.…”

Efficacy of a novel extract of fenugreek seeds in alleviating vasomotor symptoms and depression in perimenopausal women: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study

“…A recent study has also shown significant improvement among postmenopausal discomforts when supplemented with 250 mg × 2/day of FHE for 42 days (unpublished data, communicated). Another study states that fenugreek seed flavonoids exhibit an antidepressant‐like effect by downregulating the KLF11/SIRT1‐MAO‐A pathway, inhibiting MAO‐A expression and activity, as well as upregulating monoamine neurotransmitters levels (Wang et al., 2019).…”