Ameliorative Effect of Rutin Supplement on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Depressive Phenotypes in Mice

Abstract

Depression is a severe disorder that results in poor quality of life and affects hundreds of millions worldwide. Research on the relationship between depression and oxidative stress has shown important biochemical aspects in disease development. Flavonoids are a class of natural products that exhibit several pharmacological properties, including antidepressant-like activity and hence, suggested by studies to be exciting prototypes for new antidepressant drugs. Rutin is a flavonoid glycoside abundantly found in plants. The study evaluated the effect of rutin supplementation on depression using the chronic unpredictable mild stress depression mice models. Twenty-five mice were grouped into 5 (n = 5) and subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stressors. Groups 1-5 were orally served distilled water (no treatment), Rutin 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg, and fluoxetine 20 mg/kg respectively. The study was conducted in the span of 30 days. Administration of rutin produced a reduction in immobility time at a dose of 120 mg/kg, a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the concentration of serum superoxide dismutase at doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg, and showed no significant difference on catalase and malondialdehyde levels. Rutin supplementation showed the potential of positively reversing behavioural despair. Thus, may be considered a possible treatment option for depressive symptoms in view of it attaining lesser side effects compared to orthodox treatments