Antidepressant-like effect of ferulic acid via promotion of energy metabolism activity. - GreenMedInfo Summary

SCOPE: Ferulic acid (FA), a natural phenolic phytochemical abundantly present in whole grains, herbs, and dried fruits, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. In the present study, we investigated the antidepressant-like effects of FA in male ICR mice using tail suspension test (TST) and explored its molecular mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Oral administration of FA at a dose of 5 mg/kg for 7 days significantly reduced immobility of mice compared to vehicle-administered control group. Microarray and real-time PCR analyses revealed that FA upregulated the expression of several genes associated with cell survival and proliferation, energy metabolism, and dopamine synthesis inmice limbic system of brain. Interestingly, we found that FA, unlike antidepressant drug bupropion, strongly promoted energy metabolism. Additionally, FA increased catecholamine (dopamine and noradrenaline), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and ATP levels and decreased glycogen levels in the limbic system of the mice brain.

CONCLUSION: Our research provides the first evidence that FA enhances energy production, which could be the underlying mechanism of the antidepressant-like effects of FA observed in this study. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.