Sesamol Fights Stress-Induced Depression

CHANDIGARH, IndiaSesamol exerted an antidepressant effect in an animal model of stress-induced depression, possibly through its antioxidant properties and impacting the release of inflammatory cytokines, according to a new study (Psychopharmacol. ePub 19 Nov 2010. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-2094-2). Researchers from Panjab University noted there is a complex relationship related to how the body reacts to stress and the onset of depression; patients with depression show increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. The team therefore sought to determine whether administration of sesamol, a phenolic antioxidant found in sesame oil that inhibits cytokine production, could impact onset of stress-related depression.

In the study, mice received different amounts of sesamol (2, 4 or 8 mg/kg; oral gavage) or vehicle daily for 21 days, and were subjected to different types of stressors to induce depressive-like behavior. Chronic treatment with sesamol significantly reversed the unpredictable chronic stress-induced behavioral, biochemical and inflammation changes in stressed mice. Specifically, sesamol reduced levels of serum TNF-alpha, and prevented increases in lipid peroxidation and nitrites seen in untreated, stressed animals. Sesamol also helped the animals maintain activity of endogenous antioxidants including glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The researchers concluded sesamol had antidepressant-like effects in the behavioral despair paradigm, fighting oxidative stress and inflammation.