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Experiencing early-life stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound found in some plants which has several pharmacological properties. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. In this study we aimed to assess the anxiolytic-like effect of ferulic acid in a mouse model of maternal separation (MS) stress by focusing on the possible involvement of NMDA receptors. Mice were treated with ferulic acid (5 and 40 mg/kg) alone and in combination with NMDA receptor agonist/antagonist. Valid behavioral tests were performed, including open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPM), while quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate gene expression of NMDA subunits (GluN2A and GluN2B) in the hippocampus. Findings showed that treatment of MS mice with ferulic acid increased the time spent in the central zone of the OFT and increased both open arm time and the percent of open arm entries in the EPM. Ferulic acid reduced the expression of NMDA receptor subunit genes. We showed that administration of NMDA receptor agonist (NMDA) and antagonist (ketamine) exerted anxiogenic and anxiolytic-like effects, correspondingly. Results showed that co-administration of a sub-effective dose of ferulic acid plus ketamine potentiated the anxiolytic-like effect of ferulic acid. Furthermore, co-administration of an effective dose of ferulic acid plus NMDA receptor agonist (NMDA) attenuated the anxiolytic-like effect of ferulic acid. In deduction, our findings showed that NMDA, partially at least, is involved in the anxiolytic-like effect of ferulic acid in the OFT and EPM tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and anxiety are common psychiatric disorders accounting for social and economic burdens. Previous studies have shown that oxidative stress and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance are involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Experiencing early-life adversities (like maternal separation [MS] stress) provoked psychiatric disorders. Trigonelline (TRG) is a pyridine alkaloid that has various pharmacological effects including hypoglycemic, neuroprotective and memory-improving properties. To investigate the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of TRG focusing oxidative stress, we applied the MS paradigm to male mice at postnatal day (PND) 2–14 (3 h daily, 9–12 a.m.) and investigated the behaviors at PND 45–47. Using valid behavioral tests including a forced swimming test (FST), splash test, open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM), we investigated behavioral modifications. Additionally, we examined the effects of MS and TRG treatment on the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and also antioxidant capacity in the brain and serum. Our results showed that MS provoked depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in the FST, OFT, EPM and splash test, which are associated with an increase in MDA and NO levels as well as a decrease in antioxidant capacity in the brain and serum samples. Findings determined that TRG significantly reversed the negative effects of MS on behavior that is accompanied by a decrease in MDA and NO as well as an increase in antioxidant capacity. Findings of the present study showed that beneficial effects of TRG may be, at least partially, mediated via the reduction of oxidative stress and an increase of antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the recent years, the prevalence of metal-induced toxicity, especially lead-induced toxicity, has increased considerably. Metals including lead cause oxidative stress. Therefore Rheum ribes L. as a medicinal plant with antioxidant activity may reduce the complications of these toxicities. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the protective effect of hydroalcoholic R. ribes L. extract in male rat model of lead acetate-induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Normal saline (control) group, positive control group treated with 0.6 g/L/d of lead acetate in drinking water, and two R. ribes groups treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg/d of R. ribes extract in addition to lead acetate for 10 days. After treatment, the rats were anesthetized, blood samples were taken, and kidneys were removed and fixed in 10% formalin. Then, serum antioxidant capacity was measured and kidney tissue specimens histopathologically studied. Results: Serum antioxidant capacity was significantly different between lead acetate group and the group treated with lead acetate + R. ribes extract (400 mg/kg). Additionally mice receiving lead acetate + R. ribes extract (400 mg/kg) had significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the control group (P < 0.05). Treatment of lead acetate-treated rats with R. ribes extract significantly prevented damage to their kidney tissues. Conclusions: Rheum ribes extract can prevent lead-induced kidney damage, and therefore exposure to lead acetate by people are recommended to consume this extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A confluence of genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors shapes autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early-life stressors like MS play a contributing role in this multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder. This research was to explore the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum L. (O.B.) extract in mitigating behaviors reminiscent of autism prompted by maternal separation (MS) stress in male mice, focusing on its impact on neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. MS mice were treated with O.B. extract at varying dosages (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg) from postnatal days (PND) 51-53 to PND 58-60. Behavioral experiments, including the Morris water maze, three-chamber test, shuttle box, and resident-intruder test, were conducted post-treatment. The method of maternal separation involved separating the pups from their mothers for 3 h daily, from PND 2 to PND 14. Molecular analysis of hippocampal tissue was performed to assess gene expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Hippocampal and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. O.B. extract administration resulted in the amelioration of autistic-like behaviors in MS mice, as evidenced by improved spatial and passive avoidance memories and social interactions, as well as reduced aggression in behavioral tests. O.B. extract attenuated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, as indicated by decreased MDA and increased TAC levels, as well as downregulation of TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression in the hippocampus. O.B. extract may offer a novel therapeutic avenue for ASD, potentially mediated through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: White tea ( Camellia sinensis ) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and a protective effect against wrinkles, sunburn and UV damages on the skin. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of white tea extract on the healing process of skin wounds in rats., Methods: This study was done in the Research Center of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran in 2019. Excisional skin wounds were created on five groups of healthy male Wistar rats (200-250 g, n=21) including control group, Eucerin-treated group, white tea 5% ointment (Eucerin) treated group, gel-treated group, white tea 5% gel treated group. Treatment was begun on day 1 and repeated every day at the same time until day 15. Pathologic samples were taken on days 4, 7 and 15 for histopathological examinations. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze data by SPSS. Statistical significance was defined as P <0.05., Results: Wound closure rate of control group was more than other groups on day 4 ( P <0.05). On day 7, reepithelisation and granulation tissue of control group were more than white tea 5% ointment-treated and its inflammation was less than others ( P <0.05). Neo-vascularization of white tea 5% ointment-treated group was more than control group on days 4 and 15 ( P <0.05). On day 4, intact mast cells of control group were more than white tea treated groups ( P <0.05). Degranulated mast cells of white tea 5% gel treated group was significantly ( P <0.05) more than control group on days 4 and 15., Conclusion: Five percent white tea extract could not help the skin wound healing process.