الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 234 |  |  |
| | | from | 234 | | |
Abstract
Depression is one of mental illnesses which is mainly caused
by stress. chronic stress is the main risk factor and plays an
important role in the development of depression as it is the most
common mood disorder and can affect people’s relations and
social lifestyles. The present study was designed to evaluate the
antidepressant activity of aqueous extracts of miswak (Salvadora
persica) and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and their
combination in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat
model of depression and to show their effects on behaviors of
animals as FST ,EPM and OPT and on oxidative stress enzymes
,inflammatory mediators , neurotransmitters and neurotrophic
factors gene expression .
To fulfill the aim of the study 60 male Wistar rats (115-135
g) were equally divided into 5 groups ; control group (12 rat) ,
CUMS group (12 rat ) , miswak group (12 rat ) which is orally
treated with ( 500 mg/ kg), date group (12 rat ) which is orally
treated with ( 200 mg/ kg) and combined group (12 rat ) which is
orally treated with ( 500 mg miswak , 2oo mg date / kg).
summary
151
The weights of rats were recorded every 2weeks throughout the
experimental period. At the end of the experiment, plasma
samples and brains were collected for analyses. Plasma
serotonin, cortisol and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6)
were assayed in addition to oxidative stress markers
(malondialdehyde “MDA”, catalase , total antioxidant
capacity(TAC) and glutathione reductase (GSH) on the other
hand gene expression of CREB mRNA and BDNF mRNA was
assayed in the prefrontal cortex of the brain .
Reduction of weight was preceded as a result of CUMS for
rats and decreasing the mobility time of the rats in the FST,
decreased the time spent in open arms in EPM test, reduction of
locomotor activity in the OFT which was observed by decreasing
in the number of squares crossed, rearing activity and grooming
time, Increasing level of plasma MDA, which is related to
oxidative stress , Decreasing in the levels of reduced glutathione
(GSH), catalase activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)
were observed in depressed rats .
Increased in acetyl cholinesterase (ACHE) activity as
neurotransmitter in plasma and decreasing of the neurotrophic
factors (CREB and BDNF) gene expression in brain of CUMS
summary
152
rats. Results showed that CUMS caused depression and anxiety in
male rats, as determined by behavioral tests (FST, EPM, and
OFT). Also, CUMS significantly increased the levels of plasma
malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholinesterase activity (ACHE),
cortisol, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) while
significantly decreased the levels of plasma total antioxidants,
serotonin, and the expression of CREB mRNA and BDNF mRNA
in the prefrontal cortex. However, aqueous extracts of miswak
and date palm and their combination effectively ameliorated
depressive behaviors, body weight loss, and oxidative stress
induced by CUMS and restored neurotransmitter and hormone
secretion to normal levels. Furthermore, the studied extracts
improved the levels of plasma proinflammatory cytokines and
CREB mRNA and BDNF mRNA expression in the prefrontal
cortex. In conclusion, aqueous extracts of miswak and date palm
induced antidepressant-like effects in CUMS rat model of
depression via ameliorating oxidative stress, plasma levels of
neurotransmitters and proinflammatory cytokines, and the
CREB/BDNF signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex. The
combined aqueous extract of miswak and date palm had a greater
effect than either extract alone, suggesting that it may be an
effective treatment for stress-induced depression.
summary
153
In summary, fourteen days of CUMS induced depression and
anxiety in male rats was successful in achieving the depressive
human-like symptoms expressed in behavioral changes (FST,
EPM, and OFT) and reflected in oxidative stress, disturbed
antioxidant enzyme and acetyl cholinesterase activities, reduced
serotonin, increased cortisol, induced proinflammatory cytokines
level (TNF-α and IL-6), and impaired CREB mRNA and BDNF
mRNA expression. Treatment with either aqueous extracts of
miswak or date palm or their combination improved these
depressive behavior and neurochemical changes. Furthermore, the
studied extracts ameliorated the inflammatory cascade and the
CREB/BDNF signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex