Authors: QingQiu Mao Zhen Huang XiaoMing Zhong YanFang Xian SiuPo Ip
Publish Date: 2014/01/09
Volume: 34, Issue: 3, Pages: 403-408
Abstract
Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that piperine produced antidepressantlike action in various mouse models of behavioral despair which was related to the serotonergic system The present study aimed to examine the behavioral and biochemical effects of piperine in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress CUMS The results showed that CUMS caused depressionlike behavior in rats as indicated by the significant decrease in sucrose consumption and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test In addition it was found that serotonin 5HT and brainderived neurotrophic factor BDNF contents in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were significantly decreased in CUMStreated rats Treating the animals with piperine significantly suppressed behavioral and biochemical changes induced by CUMS The results suggest that piperine produces an antidepressantlike effect in CUMStreated rats which is possibly mediated by increasing 5HT and BDNF contents in selective brain tissues
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