PMID:
BMC Neurosci. 2020 Jan 15 ;21(1):1. Epub 2020 Jan 15. PMID: 31941442
Abstract Title:
Folic acid ameliorates depression-like behaviour in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Depression is characterized by significant and low mood. Classical antidepressants are still not adequate in treating depression because of undesirable side effects. Folic acid, a member of the vitamin B complex, in considered to be strongly associated with the function and development of the central nervous system. Thus, in this study, we established a model of depression through chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in rats and assessed the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of folic acid.METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), CUMS treated with folic acid, and CUMS treated with citalopram. Rats were assessed in terms of weight change, open-field test and sucrose preference. Homocysteine, monoamine neurotransmitters, interleukin-6, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),β-endorphin levels in the serum and brains of rats were analysed.RESULTS: Folic acid exhibited antidepressant-like effects in open-field and sucrose preference tests. Folic acid treatment effectively increased the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, BDNF andβ-endorphin, interleukin-6 and homocysteine levels were also significantly suppressed by folic acid administration.CONCLUSIONS: These findings serve as preclinical evidence that folic acid plays an antidepressant-like role in several pathways involving monoamine neurotransmitters. Thus, folic acid may be used as a potential antidepressant.
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