Ayahuasca prevents oxidative stress in a rat model of depression elicited by unpredictable chronic mild stress
LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) May 1, 2021 DOI: 10.15761/0101-60830000000286 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preclinical study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult male rats |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Dose | 500 mg/kg |
| Duration | 15 days of administration before and during stress exposure |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Depression |
| Citations | 21 |
| Key points | Ayahuasca failed to prevent anhedonia-like behavior but counteracted stress-induced oxidative stress markers in the brain. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Depression is a highly disabling common mental disorder and, due to its multifactorial nature, the development of effective therapies is challenging and of great relevance. Ayahuasca (AYA), an entheogenic traditional beverage, has emerged as an alternative for antidepressant treatment, however, AYA preclinical and clinical trials are still incipient.
Objectives: This investigation aimed to evaluate some behavioral and biochemical effects of AYA subchronic administration in rats submitted to a model of depression elicited by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS).
Methods: 500 mg/kg of AYA was administered in adult male rats once a day for 15 days before submitting the animals to UCMS. Anhedonia-like and locomotion behavior, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and sulfhydryl/nitrite content were evaluated.
Results: AYA intake failed to prevent anhedonia-like behavior. Locomotion was not altered by AYA consumption or by the experimental condition. UCMS increased TBARS and nitrites levels, decreased the levels of catalase in the cerebral cortex and of Sulfhydryl in the hippocampus. AYA treatment counteracted these biochemical alterations but did not display any alterations in non-stressed rats.
Conclusions: Taken together, results indicate an adaptogenic antioxidant molecular mechanism of AYA in relation to depression induced by stress.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ayahuasca for depression, most cited first.