Protective role of cod liver oil on hippocampal oxidative damage and neuronal count in Wistar rat model of comorbid depression

Abstract

Background: Proper nutrition and balanced diet have profound influence on mental wellbeing. Nutritional psychiatry plays an important role in influencing healthy mind and body. The animal model of chronic unpredictable stress has been considered as the effective model to explore research on anxiety and depression. Aim: The present study was aimed to explore the protective role of cod liver oil on various biochemical and neuronal analysis in the hippocampus tissue of Wistar rat model of comorbid depression. Methods: Healthy adult albino rats of Wistar strain weighing (120-160 grams) were divided into control group and experimental groups. These groups were further categorized into various subgroups based on the stress exposure, cod liver oil and antidepressant treatment. Six animals were taken in each group. The duration of stress exposure was for 15 days. After the experimentation procedure, the animals were anaesthetized, and hippocampus was dissected for the estimations of various biochemical and neurological parameters. Results: The combination of cod liver oil with the antidepressant significantly (P<0.001) decreased the lipid peroxidation level. Total antioxidant and SOD level significantly increased (P<0.001) in the hippocampus. Treatment of cod liver oil during the stress exposure increased (P<0.001) the neuronal count. Conclusion: Cod liver oil proved to be the effective antidepressant agent by increasing the antioxidants and promoting neurogenesis in the hippocampus.