Comparative Evaluation of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Effects of Escitalopram, Crocin, and their Combination in Rats.

Background: Chronic stress can lead to anxiety and depression. Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and crocin is a natural compound derived from saffron. Both of them are used to treat these disorders in clinical and traditional medicine, respectively.

Comparing the Efficacy of Escitalopram with and without Crocin in Restoring I/O Functions and LTP within the Hippocampal CA1 Region of Stressed Rats.

Background: Escitalopram, a pharmacological compound, and crocin, the active compound of saffron, influence brain functions and serotonin levels. This study examined the efficacy of escitalopram with and without crocin in restoring the input-output (I/O) functions and long-term potentiation (LTP) within the hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of stressed rats.

Materials And Methods: Rats were divided into six groups: control (Co), sham (Sh), stress-recovery (St-Rec), stress-escitalopram (St-Esc), stress-crocin (St-Cr), and stress-escitalopram-crocin (St-Esc-Cr) groups.

Non-invasive temporal interference brain stimulation reduces preference on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats.

Long-term use of opioid drugs such as morphine can induce addiction in the central nervous system through dysregulation of the reward system of the brain. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a non-pharmacological technique capable of attenuating behavioral responses associated with opioid drug consumption and possesses the capability to selectively activate and target localized brain regions with a high spatial resolution. However, long-term implantation of electrodes in brain tissue may limit the effectiveness of DBS due to changes in impedance, position, and shape of the tip of the stimulation electrode and the risk of infection of nerve tissue around the implanted electrode.

Effects of prolonged escitalopram administration on long-term potentiation within the hippocampal CA1 area in rats under predictable and unpredictable chronic mild stress.

Exposure to chronic stress impairs memory. Also, escitalopram's impact on memory remains paradoxical. Therefore, this study examined how prolonged escitalopram administration affects input-output (I/O) functions, paired-pulse ratio (PPR), and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 area in rats that underwent predictable and unpredictable chronic mild stress (PCMS and UCMS, respectively).

Protective Effects of Long-Term Escitalopram Administration on Memory and Hippocampal and Gene Expressions in Rats Exposed to Predictable and Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress.

Stress and escitalopram (an anti-stress medication) can affect brain functions and related gene expression. This study investigated the protective effects of long-term escitalopram administration on memory, as well as on hippocampal and gene expressions in rats exposed to predictable and unpredictable chronic mild stress (PCMS and UCMS, respectively). Male rats were randomly assigned to different groups: control (Co), sham (Sh), predictable and unpredictable stress (PSt and USt, respectively; 2 h/day for 21 consecutive days), escitalopram (Esc; 10 mg/kg for 21 days), and predictable and unpredictable stress with escitalopram (PSt-Esc and USt-Esc, respectively).

The electrical stimulation of the central nucleus of the amygdala in combination with dopamine receptor antagonist reduces the acquisition phase of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in male rat.

Background And Purpose: The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is one of the nuclei involved in the reward system. The aim of the current study was to investigate the electrical stimulation (e-stim) effect of the CeA in combination with dopamine D1 receptor antagonist on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male rats.

Experimental Approach: A 5-day procedure of CPP was used in this study.

The role of NMDA glutamate receptors in the lateral habenula on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats.

The lateral habenula (LHb) has received special attention due to its role in modulating motivated behavior, stress response, and rewarding and aversive stimuli through monoamine transmission. In the present study, the involvement of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors of the LHb in the expression and acquisition phases of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) was studied in male rats. Bilateral injections of agonist/antagonist (MK-801) of NMDA receptor were performed during the conditioning sessions of the acquisition phase.

Effects of GABA receptor blockade on lateral habenula glutamatergic neuron activity following morphine injection in the rat: an electrophysiological study.

Background And Purpose: The lateral habenula (LHb), a key area in the regulation of the reward system, exerts a major influence on midbrain neurons. It has been shown that the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- ergic system plays the main role in morphine dependency. The role of GABA type B receptors (GABAR) in the regulation of LHb neural activity in response to morphine, remains unknown.

The Protective Effects of Crocin on Input-Output Functions and Long-term Potentiation of Hippocampal CA1 Area in Rats Exposed to Chronic Social Isolated Stress.

Introduction: The lack of social communication is associated with the primary risk of proper brain functions. It is reported that crocin helps relieve this problem. The present study examined the protective effect of two doses of crocin on Long-term potentiation (LTP) of hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) area as a cellular mechanism in rats exposed to chronic social isolated stress.

Morphine upregulates Toll-like receptor 4 expression and promotes melanomas in mice.

Background: Morphine and other opioids are used to manage cancer-related pain; however, the role of these drugs in cancer progression remains controversial. Emerging evidence indicates that morphine can activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its signaling pathways, by the way the activation and expression of TLR4 can promote melanoma. In this study, we investigated the effects of morphine on the expression of TLR4 and promotion of melanoma in mice.

Involvement of AMPA receptors of lateral habenula in the expression and acquisition phases of morphine-induced place preference.

The lateral habenula (LHb), known as the brain structure of the epithalamic, plays the main role in depression and drug addiction. The glutamatergic system influences morphine reward. The effect of activation/inhibition of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) in the LHb on different phases of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) remains unknown.

Effects of treadmill exercise and chronic stress on anxiety-like behavior, neuronal activity, and oxidative stress in basolateral amygdala in morphine-treated rats.

The basolateral amygdala (BLA), which is sensitive to stress, is necessary for reward-seeking behavior and addiction. Regular exercise can produce various positive effects by affecting the BLA. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic stress and treadmill running (TR) on anxiety-like behavior, neuronal activity, lipid peroxidation (measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker for oxidative stress), and total thiol in BLA, in morphine-treated rats.

Involvement of GABAA receptors of lateral habenula in the acquisition and expression phases of morphine-induced place preference in male rats.

The lateral habenula (LHb) is a critical brain structure involved in the aversive response to drug abuse. It has been determined that the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic system plays the main role in morphine dependency. The role of GABA type A receptors (GABAARs) in LHb on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) remains unknown.

Effect of electrical stimulation of central nucleus of the amygdala on morphine conditioned place preference in male rats.

Objectives: The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is one of the most important areas for the morphine reward system. This study investigated the effect of electrical stimulation of CeA on morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) in male rats.

Materials And Methods: After anesthetizing male Wistar rats, both electrode and cannula were implanted into CeA for stimulating (low intensity: 25 μA, and high intensity: 150 μA) and injecting (lidocaine and dopamine D2 receptor antagonist), respectively.

Preventive effects of fixed and progressive forced exercises on memory and brain electrical activity in morphine-addicted rats.

Exercise and addiction influence brain functions. The preventive effects of fixed and progressive forced exercises on both brain functions and body weight were investigated in morphine-addicted rats. Thirty-five rats were allocated to control, morphine, fixed exercise-morphine, and progressive exercise-morphine groups.

Supplementation of Carvacrol Attenuates Hippocampal Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Level, Oxidative Stress, and Learning and Memory Dysfunction in Lipopolysaccharide-Exposed Rats.

Background: Carvacrol is a natural phenolic monoterpene with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bioactivities. Neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress responses play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The present study examined the effect of carvacrol on brain tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level and oxidative stress as well as spatial learning and memory performances in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats.

Molecular Mechanisms of Exercise in Brain Disorders: a Focus on the Function of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-a Narrative Review.

The natural aging process as well as many age-related diseases is associated with impaired metabolic adaptation and declined ability to cope with stress. As major causes of disability and morbidity during the aging process, brain disorders, including psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, are likely to increase across the globe in the future decades. This narrative review investigates the link among exercise and brain disorders, aging, and inflammatory biomarkers, along with the function of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Involvement of Basolateral Amygdala Dopamine D1 Receptors in the Acquisition and Expression of Morphine-Induced Place Preference in Rats.

Background: In the present study, the effects of intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) blockade of dopamine D1 receptor on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) were investigated in male Wistar rats.

Materials And Methods: A 5-day CPP paradigm was used. Morphine was injected subsequently at effective (5 mg/kg) and ineffective (0.

Effects of electrical stimulation and temporary inactivation of basolateral amygdala on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats.

In the present study, to evaluate the role of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in morphine addiction, the BLA was stimulated electrically, or inactivated temporarily using lidocaine. The electrical stimulation (ES) was delivered to BLA with low or high intensities (LI or HI: 25 or 150 µA, respectively), and five minutes before morphine administration with effective or ineffective doses, lidocaine was microinjected into the BLA. Using a 5-day conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, the dependence on morphine was evaluated.

Effect of forced treadmill exercise on stimulation of BDNF expression, depression symptoms, tactile memory and working memory in LPS-treated rats.

Neuroinflammation has been implicated in cognitive dysfunction and the occurrence of depression in neurodegenerative diseases. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is believed to be involved with the benefits of exercise training in boosting memory and learning processes and antidepressant therapies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of forced treadmill exercise on hippocampal BDNF expression levels, depression symptoms, tactile memory and working memory in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats.

Comparing the Therapeutic Effects of Crocin, Escitalopram and Co-Administration of Escitalopram and Crocin on Learning and Memory in Rats with Stress-Induced Depression.

Background: Depression affects various brain functions. According to previous studies, escitalopram influences brain functions in depression and crocin reduces memory impairments. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of using crocin and escitalopram (separately and in combination) on learning and memory in rats with stress-induced depression.

Mutual assistance of nucleus accumbens cannabinoid receptor-1 and orexin receptor-2 in response to nicotine: a single-unit study.

Background And Purpose: The nucleus accumbens (NAc) express both orexin-2 receptor (OX2R) and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R). Orexin and cannabinoid regulate the addictive properties of nicotine. In this study, the effect of the CB1R blockade on the electrical activity of NAc neurons in response to nicotine, and its probable interaction with the OX2R in this event, within this area, were examined the single-unit recording.

Lateral habenula electrical stimulation with different intensities in combination with GABA receptor antagonist reduces acquisition and expression phases of morphine-induced CPP.

The lateral habenula (LHb) plays a principal role in response to aversive stimuli and negative emotional states. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of unilateral electrical stimulation (e-stim) of the LHb on morphine-conditioned place preference (CPP), before or after bilateral injections of Gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptor (GABAR) antagonist, phaclofen, in male rats. Morphine (5 mg/kg; s.

Microinjection of a Dopamine-D1 Receptor Agonist into the Ventral Tegmental Area Reverses the Blocked Expression of Morphine Conditioned Place Preference by N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist.

Background: The release of dopamine (DA) in the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA) plays an important role in cue-related learning, reward, and relapse. On the other hand, studies have shown that the use of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist (AP5) inhibits the expression of morphine (5 mg/kg, s. c) conditioned place preference (CPP).

The effects of morphine on vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM-1) concentration in lung cancer cells.

Objective: Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) plays an important role in tumour cell adhesion to endothelial cells. Some tumour cells also show aberrant expression of VCAM-1. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonists can increase VCAM-1 expression.