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A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice
Published on: May 15, 2019
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Pycnogenol ameliorates depression-like behavior in repeated corticosterone-induced depression mice model
Lin Mei1, Miyako Mochizuki2, Noboru Hasegawa3
1School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
Biomed Research International
|June 6, 2014
Summary
Pycnogenol (PYC), a pine bark extract, reduced depression-like behaviors in mice exposed to chronic stress. This natural antioxidant may help mitigate corticosterone-induced stress through radical scavenging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Major depression is linked to oxidative stress.
- Chronic stress can induce depression-like behaviors.
- Pycnogenol (PYC) is a potent antioxidant from Pinus pinaster bark.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of Pycnogenol (PYC) in ameliorating depression-like behavior.
- To assess the effect of PYC on chronic corticosterone (CORT)-induced stress in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Mice were treated with corticosterone (CORT) for 20 days to induce chronic stress.
- Pycnogenol (PYC) was administered orally to CORT-treated mice.
- Depression-like behavior was evaluated using the forced swimming test, measuring immobility time.
Main Results:
- CORT exposure significantly increased immobility time, indicating depression-like behavior.
- PYC supplementation significantly shortened immobility time in CORT-treated mice.
- These findings suggest PYC counteracts CORT-induced stress.
Conclusions:
- Orally administered Pycnogenol (PYC) demonstrates efficacy in reducing depression-like behavior.
- PYC's radical scavenging activity is a likely mechanism for mitigating CORT-induced stress.
- Pycnogenol shows promise as a natural intervention for stress-related depression.
