Title:Evaluation of the Behavioural, Antioxidative and Histomorphological Effects of Folic Acid-supplemented Diet in Dexamethasone-induced Depression in Mice
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Author(s): Joshua Falade*, Adejoke Y. Onaolapo and Olakunle J. Onaolapo
Affiliation:
- Department of Mental Health, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State,Nigeria
Keywords:
Depression, folic acid, antioxidant, dexamethasone, mice, cerebral morphology.
Abstract: Background: The effect of folic acid in mitigating depression has remained pivotal in
research.
Objective: To determine the effects of folate supplementation on neurobehaviour oxidative stress
and cerebral cortex histomorphology in the dexamethasone mouse model of depression.
Methods: Male mice were assigned to six groups (A-F) of 10 mice each. Animals in groups A and
D were fed a standard diet, while those in B and E were fed folic acid supplemented diet (25
mg/kg of feed), while C and F were fed folate supplemented diet at 50 mg/kg of feed for 8 weeks.
At the beginning of the sixth 6th week, mice in groups A-C were administered distilled water,
while animals in groups D-F were administered dexamethasone (DEX) at 4 mg/kg body weight by
gavage. Open-field, forced swim, and tail-suspension tests were conducted at the end of the experimental
period, following which animals were euthanised and blood was taken for the estimation
of Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced Glutathione, Glutathione Peroxidase, Catalase activity, and
Superoxide Dismutase. Sections of the cerebral cortex were prepared for histological examination.
Results: Folic acid supplementation increased body weight, locomotor, rearing and self-grooming
behaviours, and decreased immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swim tests. There was
also a reduction of lipid peroxidation and an increase in the antioxidant status. Folic acid supplementation
was also found to be protective against the development of dexamethasone-induced
changes in body weight, open-field behaviours, behavioural despair, oxidative stress and cerebrocortical
morphology.
Conclusion: Folic-acid supplementation improves the behavioral, some antioxidant, and cerebral
morphological parameters.
