Nanoemulsion-based piperine to enhance bioavailability for the treatment of LPS-induced depression-like behaviour in mice.

In the present study, the objective was to encapsulate piperine in nanoform by solvent evaporation method and to investigate the antidepressant-like activity of nanopiperine in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced depression in mice. LPS-induced depression in mice was reversed by repeated treatment of nanopiperine at dosages of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. After 24 h of LPS injection, the animals were exposed to a (TST) tail suspension test and (FST) forced swim test. A sequence of behaviours was measured on days 0, 7, and 14. On day 14, the animals were euthanized, and the blood was collected; biochemical analysis was performed for the measurement of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Within the same period, nanopiperine improved hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus of mice subjected to LPS-induced stress. In addition, the neurotransmitter estimation by the HPLC method showed that nanopiperine increased the levels of neurotransmitters. In summary, the nanopiperine showed potent neuroprotective and antidepressant activity, and stability relating to the elevated level of hippocampal BDNF level and as compared to pure piperine, the nanopiperine showed better oral bioavailability and stability.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation in the Treatment of Depression: An Observational Study.

Depression is a common mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest. Research suggests an association between the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet and a reduced risk for depression. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in alleviating depressive symptoms in patients with mild to moderate depression. A total of 165 patients suffering from mild to moderated depression were randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, an antidepressant (single agent), or a combination of an antidepressant and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The clinical features of depression were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) during the follow-up period. A statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms was observed from baseline to first, second and third follow-ups within each treatment arm as measured by HRDS scores (p = 0.00001). Further, the HDRS scores at the third follow-up were significantly lower in patients on combination therapy of omega-3 fatty acid supplement and antidepressants (arm-3) than the patients on the omega-3 fatty acid supplement alone (arm-1) [Q = 5.89; p = 0.0001] or the patients taking an antidepressant alone (arm 2) [Q = 4.36; p = 0.0068]. The combination of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement and an antidepressant elicited significantly higher improvement in depressive symptoms than the supplement or the antidepressant alone.

Analysis of Antidepressants Utilization for Patients Visiting Psychiatric Out-Patient Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition treated with antidepressants and other psychotropic medications. This study aimed to assess the utilization pattern of antidepressants among patients visiting the outpatient clinic of the psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital. The study included the patients who visited the study site and fulfilled the mental and behavioral diagnostic criteria for depression. The demographic and clinical details, including drugs prescribed, were documented in a study-specific data collection form. The ratio of Prescribed Daily Dose to Defined Daily Dose (PDD: DDD) was calculated to assess the adequacy of antidepressant utilization. Data total of 154 patients were collected. A total of 22 psychotropic drugs were used among the study patients as mono (n = 70), dual (n = 69), triple (n = 10), or quadruple therapy (n = 1). Escitalopram was the most often prescribed antidepressant out of the nine antidepressants alone and in combination and was used in slightly high doses (PDD: DDD ratio 1.6). Sertraline, paroxetine, and desvenlafaxine, were used in adequate doses (PDD: DDD between 1 and 1.1), and fluoxetine, duloxetine, amitriptyline, imipramine, and mirtazapine, were used in inadequate doses (PDD: DDD <0.5). Our study findings reveal the need for continuous assessment of antidepressants medications usage in a hospital set up.