Protective Role and Functional Engineering of Neuropeptides in Depression and Anxiety: An Overview

Abstract

Behavioral disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are prevalent globally and touch children and adults on a regular basis. Therefore, it is critical to comprehend how these disorders are affected. It has been demonstrated that neuropeptides can influence behavior, emotional reactions, and behavioral disorders. This review highlights the majority of the findings demonstrating neuropeptides’ behavioral role and functional engineering in depression and anxiety. Gut–brain peptides, hypothalamic releasing hormone peptides, opioid peptides, and pituitary hormone peptides are the four major groups of neuropeptides discussed. Some neuropeptides appear to promote depression and anxiety-like symptoms, whereas others seem to reduce it, all depending on the receptors they are acting on and on the brain region they are localized in. The data supplied here are an excellent starting point for future therapy interventions aimed at treating anxiety and depression.

The Role of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRF) and CRF-Related Peptides in the Social Behavior of Rodents

“…Based on the original, dualistic hypothesis, generalized anxiety disorder and major depression disorder could be treated by the inhibition of CRF1 with selective antagonists, such as antalarmin, or via the activation of CRF2 with selective agonists, such as Ucn2 or Ucn3 [ 108 , 109 ]. Nevertheless, while these compounds seemed very promising in preclinical experiments, they proved ineffective in clinical trials [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 ]. This could be partly due to the fact that peptides are degraded by the gastrointestinal enzymes when administered orally, and that they fail to penetrate the blood–brain barrier when injected IV [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, while these compounds seemed very promising in preclinical experiments, they proved ineffective in clinical trials [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 ]. This could be partly due to the fact that peptides are degraded by the gastrointestinal enzymes when administered orally, and that they fail to penetrate the blood–brain barrier when injected IV [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ]. Therefore, in order to increase the efficacy of these compounds, they should be administered in form of nasal spray, and eventually administered together with enzyme inhibitors and blood–brain barrier transporters [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ].…”

“…This could be partly due to the fact that peptides are degraded by the gastrointestinal enzymes when administered orally, and that they fail to penetrate the blood–brain barrier when injected IV [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ]. Therefore, in order to increase the efficacy of these compounds, they should be administered in form of nasal spray, and eventually administered together with enzyme inhibitors and blood–brain barrier transporters [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ]. However, based on the modern, site-specific hypothesis, the role of CRF1 and CRF2 in behavioral responses is not a matter of simple dualism, but depends on the brain regions and neuronal populations being activated [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Engineering innovations in medicine and biology: Revolutionizing patient care through mechanical solutions

“…This can include evaluating the biomaterials used for the different components of the shunt and optimizing the design for ease of use and durability. One of their key challenges is ensuring that the devices remain functional for long periods of time without the need for revision surgery [ [30] , [31] , [32] ]. Examples of shunt designs created by engineers include i) programmable shunts which have an adjustable pressure valve that can be remotely adjusted by a healthcare provider, allowing for more precise control of fluid drainage [ [28] , [29] , [33] , [34] , [35] ] ( Fig.…”

Treating COVID-19 with Medicinal Plants: Is It Even Conceivable? A Comprehensive Review

“…Based on the WHO, depression is projected to constitute a major cause of disability in 2030, so the need to tackle its manifestation became crucial [ 133 ]. Previous in vivo rat mice models showed that the administration of cinnamon essential oils at 2 mg/kg for two weeks significantly improved depression and anxiety behavioral symptoms.…”