SPHAEROCOCCUS CORONOPIFOLIUS ALLEVIATES OXIDATIVE BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATED TO DEPRESSION-RELATED BEHAVIOR INFEMALE WISTAR RATS

Neuropathic pain is commonly comorbid with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. A state of depression may suggest biochemical imbalance that can increase the oxidative stress into the brain. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of the red algae Sphaerococcus coronopifolius on depression-induced behavioral alterations and oxidative stress in female Wistar rats. Sciatic nerve injury was employed to induce depression in rats. Antidepressant-like effect of S. coronopifolius was investigated using two models: the forced swimming test (FST) and the open field test (OP). Three groups of rats were considered: The first group served as a control. The second group was subjected to sciatic nerve ligation (untreated group). The third group was subjected to sciatic nerve ligation treated daily by intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg algae extract kg−1 body weight of rat during two consecutive weeks(treated group). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and brain tissues were isolated to determine the activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) as well as the level of reduced glutathione (GSH).The results showed that the sciatic nerve ligation caused a depression-like behavior in female rats in contrast with the algae extract that demonstrated an antidepressant-like activity. The results obtained in the open field showed a preserved spontaneous locomotion. Untreated rats showed a significant decrease of GSH and antioxidant enzymes, and it seems that algae extract ameliorate CAT and GST activities.