ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF ROYAL JELLY USING MICE MODEL OF DEPRESSION INDUCED BY RESERPINE

The studies have shown that some natural components have antidepressant effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of royal jelly as a secretion nutrient derived from the salivary glands of worker bees on some depressive behaviors, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in mice in which depression was induced by Reserpine.

In this experimental study, 42 male mice were divided into 6 groups of 7, including control (normal saline), reserpine (negative control), fluoxetine (positive control), and three reserpine groups treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of royal jelly via the intraperitoneal route. In order to investigate depression, forced swimming and tail suspension tests which are forms of behavioral despair were used. Brain TAC and MDA levels were also determined. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and OneWay ANOVA test at a significance level of p<0.05.

Reserpine treatment significantly increased the time of immobility in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Royal jelly significantly reduced the immobility time in both behavioral tests at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. Reserpine treatment significantly decreased brain TAC and increased MDA levels in the brain. Royal jelly at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased brain TAC and reduced the MDA level.

It seems that the royal jelly has a significant potential in reducing symptoms of depression and brain oxidative stress, which may be due to its ingredients.