Possible Involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor (NMDA-R) in the Antidepressant- like Effect of Trigonelline in Male Mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Depression is a mood disorder with high global prevalence. Depression is associated with a reduction in the hippocampal volume and change in its neurotransmitters function. Trigonelline is an alkaloid with neuroprotective activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptor in the antidepressant-like effect of trigonelline, considering histopathological modifications of the hippocampus.

METHODS

60 Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) male mice were divided into 6 groups including group 1 (normal saline), groups 2, 3 and 4 (trigonelline at doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg), group 5 (effective dose of trigonelline plus NMDA agonist) and group 6 (sub-effective dose of trigonelline plus NMDA antagonist). Forced swimming test (FST) was used to assess depressive-like behavior. Hippocampi were separated under deep anesthesia and used for histopathological evaluation as well as NMDA receptor gene expression assessment.

RESULTS

Trigonelline at doses of 10, 50 and 100 significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST in comparison to the control group. The administration of the sub-effective dose of trigonelline plus ketamine (an NMDA receptor antagonist) potentiated the effect of the sub-effective dose of trigonelline. In addition, co-treatment of an effective dose of trigonelline with NMDA mitigated the antidepressant-like effect of trigonelline. Trigonelline at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly increased the diameter of the CA1 area of the hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

Trigonelline showed an antidepressant-like effect in mice, probably via attenuation of NMDA receptor activity and an increase in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.