Thymoquinone harbors protection against Concanavalin A‐induced behavior deficit in BALB/c mice model

Abstract

Global health estimates indicated approximately 322 million people living with depression. Rising cost of depressive illness treatment and non-responsiveness to existing therapies demand continued research to explore new and more potent therapies. Exploring the potential of natural compounds for their potent antidepressant potentials is becoming topic of interest for scientists. Anti-inflammatory activity of thymoquinone, the active ingredient of Nigella sativa, has been well documented. Current study tested thymoquinone for its antidepressant effect in a Concanavalin A (Con A)induced depressive-like behavior in BALB/c mice. Thymoquinone successfully protected against Con A-induced behavioral despair and anxiety-like behavior. Reduced grooming behavior as a function of Con A treatment, was also reinstated. Underlying mechanism responsible for antidepressant activity of thymoquinone was analyzed by molecular docking. Thymoquinone interacts in halogen-binding pocket (HBP) of serotonin reuptake transporter indicating its potential as serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Results of current study anticipate thymoquinone as a potential antidepressant drug candidate. Practical applications Black seeds of Nigella sativa are consumed with traditional and religious reference since centuries. Thymoquinone, active, and abundant component of Nigella sativa, has shown positive effects in multiple studies against arthritis, asthma, hepatic injury, neurodegeneration, and cancer owing to its immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory attributes. Considering inflammation as one of central components involved in pathophysiology of major depressive disorder, thymoquinone has been evaluated in current study for its antidepressant potential. Positive results of current study propose thymoquinone as an affordable, natural antidepressant drug candidate with better safety profile than currently available antidepressant regimes. Thymoquinone might provide benefits against inflammation-related sickness behavior that is associated with poorer outcome of clinical depression, thus, paving the way for effective drug development against treatment-resistant depression.

Fabrication and Assessment of Diosgenin Encapsulated Stearic Acid Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Its Anticancer and Antidepressant Effects Using in vitro and in vivo Models

“…Pro-inflammatory cytokines are a shared link between sickness behavior and cancer ( Myers, 2008 ). Con-A–induced depressive and anxiety-like behavior in the current study was in accordance with previous reports ( Biesmans et al, 2016 ; Nazir et al, 2021 ). In the current study ( Figure 10 ), diosgenin and diosgenin encapsulated SLNPs significantly protected the mice against behavioral shift induced by Con-A as indicated by improved social interaction and novelty in social interaction test, optimal grooming activity in splash test, and decreased immobility time in FST.…”

“…The size, stability, and low toxic nature showed through experimentations have shown its biocompatible nature. Con-A model of sickness was successfully generated and confirmed as reported previously ( Nazir et al, 2021 ). Interestingly, diosgenin coated/incorporated SLNPs (Tween 80 coating) have experimentally shown significant improvement in Con-A–induced sickness behavior as evident from various extensive behavioral tests performed.…”

“…SLNPs carrying diosgenin were prepared, and their anticancer and antidepressant potential was accessed in vitro using the U-87 cell lines and in vivo using a rodent model of depression ( Nazir et al, 2021 ). Our results present a fascinating insight into the potential of diosgenin as a desired dual-action molecule: anticancer and antidepressant activity.…”

Nigella sativa and its nano‐mediated approach toward management of neurodegenerative disorders: A review

“…Inflammation-related sickness behavior Molecular docking analysis supported the notion that the antidepressant effect of TQ may be mediated by antagonism of SERT [59] Altogether, the mechanism of binding of TQ with hTf was elucidated, which can be further implicated in the development of a novel strategy for AD therapy Binding mechanism of TQ to human transferrin Alzheimer's disease Molecular docking analysis showed key residues of the hTf that were involved in the binding to TQ. Further, a 250 ns molecular dynamics simulation was performed, which deciphered the dynamics and stability of the hTf-TQ complex.…”