Amelioration of Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Behavioural Perturbations by Noni Juice in Mice: Possible Involvement of Antioxidant System
Benneth Ben-Azu
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Itivere Adrian Omogbiya *
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
Olusegun Adebayo Adeoluwa
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Abayomi Mayowa Ajayi
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Adegbuyi Oladele Aderibigbe
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Solomon Umukoro
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Ezekiel O. Iwalewa
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Daniel Ejebe
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
Jeremiah John Oloche
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Aya-Ebi Okubo Eneni
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Omoye Eranga
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Noni juice is a natural herbal formulation containing Morinda citrifolia widely acclaimed as an immune system stimulant and mood enhancer. The aim of the study was to explore the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like behavioural effects of Noni juice and to further evaluate the possible mechanisms of action in terms of biomarkers of oxidative stress on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced depressive model in mice.
Methods: CUMS was used to induce behavioural deficits (depressive- and anxiety-like behaviours) and oxidative imbalance in mice. Mice were pretreated with Noni juice (2.5, 5 and 10 mL/kg, p.o) and thereafter subjected to different stress paradigms daily for a period of 21 days. Thereafter, sucrose preference test, behavioural despair tests, open field exploratory behaviour, Y-maze test as well as elevated plus maze, and light and dark maze tests were used to assess antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like behaviours, while standard biochemical protocols were used to assay for the biochemical alterations [Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA)].
Results: The results showed that Noni juice demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of CUMS induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviours in mice; by increasing the preference for sucrose, locomotor activity in the open field exploratory test, memory performance, decrease immobility in the behavioural despair tests and anxiety-related depressive behaviours. Furthermore, Noni juice decreased MDA concentration (33.2, 58.7 and 70.2%) in a dose-related manner. Moreover, Noni juice significantly (P < 0.05) prevented the decrease in SOD and CAT activities, and increased GSH concentration in brain tissues.
Conclusion: These data provides a rationale for evaluating Noni juice as a novel psychotropic agent against depressive- and anxiety-related behaviours and suggest that its mechanisms of action may be related to the modulation of endogenous antioxidant defense system.
Keywords: Depression, anxiety, antioxidant, Morinda citrifolia, noni juice, chronic unpredictable mild stress