The antidepressant effect of Morin in an experimental model of depression in rats: Impact on neurodegeneration, inflammation and apoptosis

Abstract

Depression, that is known to be a common mental disorder, has a noteworthy effect on patients’ lives. That is characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, diminished energy or tiredness feelings, low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration. It’s wide spread among all ages and in different socio-economic classes in the general population. The etiology of depression is not fully revealed but it may include alterations in the nervous system, endocrine system and immunological system. Accordingly, in the current study we utilize a natural flavonoid Morin (2',3,4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) that is characterized with potent antioxidant and metal ion chelating capacities and has numerous biological and biochemical effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, and cardio-protective activities to investigate its potential protective antidepressant effect in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) experimental rat model. Several mild random and unpredictable stressors were applied for 4 weeks with the oral administration of Morin (15 or 30 mg/Kg) to the treated rat groups.