Fucoxanthin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behavior in mice via AMPK- NF-κB pathway

Fucoxanthin (FX), a natural carotenoid abundant in edible brown seaweeds, has been shown the great anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects in vivo and in vitro. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of FX on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced behavioral defects in mice. In depressive behavior tests, the increased immobility time of forced swimming test and tail suspension test by LPS treatment in mice, which were significantly reversed by FX treatment (200 mg/kg, i.g.). In anxiety behavior tests, LPS injection was neither influence the anxiety-related parameters in marble burying test nor that in elevated plus maze test. Interestingly, anxiolytic effects were observed in single FX treated control and LPS-induced mice groups. FX treatment also reversed LPS-induced body weight loss and food intake decreases. Biochemical analysis indicated that FX inhibited LPS-induced overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), as well as iNOS and COX-2 in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and hypothalamus, via the modulation of AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.