Rutin ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behaviours in mice model via inhibition of neuroinflammation

Abstract

Background: Depression is a common illness that affects millions of people in the world. Rutin is a flavonol, and flavonols stand out due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antidepressant effects. Inflammation is associated with oxidative stress and the brain is highly sensitive to changes in redox conditions. There is a paucity of data on the effects of rutin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression. This study aimed at investigating the protective roles of rutin on depressive-like behaviors in the LPS model of depression in mice, focusing on inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods: Thirty-six (36) Swiss Albino mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6). All treatments were administered intraperitoneally every day for 21 days, except LPS which was administered on the 21st day only; group I served as the normal control (Distilled water 10 ml/kg), group II received LPS 0.5 mg/kg only, group III received fluoxetine 20 mg/kg + LPS 0.5 mg/kg, group IV received rutin 25 mg/kg + LPS 0.5 mg/kg, group V received rutin 50 mg/kg + LPS 0.5 mg/kg, and group VI received rutin 100 mg/kg + LPS 0.5 mg/kg. Mice behaviors were evaluated through a tail suspension test (TST), followed by assessments of MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, and BDNF.

Results: Rutin improved behavioral despair induced by LPS by significantly reducing immobility time in the TST. It also prevented the increase of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 in the hippocampus due to LPS. Moreso, rutin prevented an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by LPS.

Conclusion: These findings suggest the potentials of rutin to prevent LPS-induced depressive-like symptoms, by its anti-inflammatory activities through cytokine IL-6 in mice.