Carnosic acid ameliorates depressive‐like symptoms along with the modulation of FGF9 in the hippocampus of middle carotid artery occlusion‐induced Sprague Dawley rats

Abstract

The increased survival rate of stroke patients has led to the higher incidences of post‐stroke depression. Carnosic acid has the ability to cross blood brain barrier with good neuro‐modulatory actions. Recently, inclined level of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) in the postmortem brain of the depressed patients was noted. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of carnosic acid on post‐stroke depression‐like behavior, and the expression of FGF9 were evaluated. After 3 weeks of middle carotid artery occlusion in Sprague Dawley rats, carnosic acid (20 and 40 mg/kg) was administered for 2 weeks. Sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and open field test were performed and hippocampi were analyzed for FGF9 and FGFR‐3. In comparison to post‐stroke depressed rats, carnosic acid increased the sucrose preference, and reduced the immobility time of the rats by ~2×. The speed and distance‐covered were also increased. At 40 mg/kg, FGF9 was reduced by ~3× while FGFR‐3/Actin was increased by ~1.5×. Altogether results suggest anti‐depressant‐like activity of carnosic acid in post‐stroke depressed rats with decreased expression of hippocampal FGF9.

Combination of Shengmai San and Radix puerariae ameliorates depression‐like symptoms in diabetic rats at the nexus of PI3K/BDNF/SYN protein expression

“…Diabetic animal models were reported to have neuropsychological complications such as learning or memory deficit and depression 57 . In this study, according to the literature survey, behavioral tests (i.e., OFT, novelty‐induced hypophagia [NIH], and FST) were conducted to evaluate depression in diabetic rats with or without R‐SMS treatment 42,43 . OFT was employed to observe rodent locomotory or anxious behavior.…”

“…57 In this study, according to the literature survey, behavioral tests (i.e., OFT, novelty-induced hypophagia [NIH], and FST) were conducted to evaluate depression in diabetic rats with or without R-SMS treatment. 42,43 OFT was employed to observe rodent locomotory or anxious behavior. FST is the most frequent method used to validate depression-like symptoms in animal models.…”

“…On day 2, swimming pattern was recorded for a period of 5 min using a mounted camera. Individual rats were monitored for immobility time (i.e., floating without any movement or struggle) and mobility time (i.e., struggling to keep head above water level) 42 . The data were recorded by two individuals who were blinded to the experiments.…”

“…The R-SMS formulation was prepared by mixing SMS (composed of Panax ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Schisandra chinensis) and Radix puerariae in the ratio of 3:3:2:4. The preparation of R-SMS powder formation and its chemical analysis is reported earlier (Ahmed et al, 2021). Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na, 0.5%) was used to mix R-SMS formulation.…”

Carnosic Acid Mitigates Depression-Like Behavior in Ovariectomized Mice via Activation of Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway

“…Furthermore, the benefits of some herbal medications on hippocampal cells have been linked to increased HO-1 activity [ 19 ]. In light of the previously reported antidepressant effect of either rosemary extract in depression and anxiety [ 20 , 21 ], or CA itself in post-stroke or stress-induced depression [ 22 , 23 ], the potential benefits of CA in peri/post-menopausal mood alteration merit to be investigated. This is fostered by the notion that CA can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in a sufficient concentration to exert many cytoprotective effects [ 22 ].…”