Combination effect of silymarin, quercetin, and hesperidin on anxiety and depression in 3 nitropropionic acid-induced rat model of huntington’s disease

Abstract

Huntington’s disease is an autosomal-dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with chorea, incoordination, cognitive decline, and behavioral difficulties, whereas bioflavonoids have the potential to promote anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to investigate and summarize the synergistic effect of silymarin, quercetin, and hesperidin on anxiety and depression in 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-induced rat model of Huntington’s disease. We divided animals into eight groups (n = 6) for different combination treatment with said bioflavonoids along with 3-NP. Anxiety and depression such as symptoms were assessed on 21st day post-treatment with elevated plus maze, light, and dark model and force swim test. Dopamine and serotonin level in the brain striatum were also measured after completion of behavioral analysis as these neurotransmitters are involved in anxiety and depression like behavior. We found that intraperitoneal administration of 3-NP (10 mg/kg B/W) for 21 days leads to anxiety and depression such as symptoms in male Wistar rats, whereas combinations of bioflavonoids ameliorate the symptoms. At the end of the study, we concluded that combination of silymarin, quercetin, and hesperidin is more effective in ameliorating anxiety and depression as compared to mono therapy.