The effect of co-administration of the sericin and buspirone on the anxiety and depression-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress in male mice

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety and depression have a high prevalence in current societies and their debilitating effects have economic and health consequences. The use of therapeutic strategies that can increase the efficiency of common treatments and simultaneously reduce adverse effects is of therapeutic importance.Aims: For many years, the therapeutic use of silk has been common in traditional Iranian medicine, especially for treating depression. In this research, the protective effects of sericin as the main protein of silk have been investigated in the prevention of stress. Also, according to the previous studies, apparently combining sericin with buspirone, which has anti-anxiety properties, can increase its efficiency in reducing the effects of stress and anxiety. Methods: Animals were put in the control group, chronic stress and chronic stress group receiving sericin, buspirone and sericin and buspirone simultaneously for 10 days, 2 hours daily. Finally, after conducting behavioral tests, a blood sample was taken to measure the serum level of corticosterone.Results: Simultaneous administration of sericin and buspirone, increased the percentage and duration of open arms (p<0/0001) in the Elevated plus Maze test and decreased the immobility time (p<0/0001) in the Tail Suspension test. Also, the serum level of corticosterone in the groups receiving buspirone, sericin and sericin- Buspirone was significantly reduced corticosterone levels (p<0/01) compared to the chronic stress group.Conclusion: The findings show the protective effect of sericin and buspirone in chronic inhibitory stress and preventing their behavioral and psychopathological changes. Also, the findings indicate the synergistic effect of buspirone and sericin administration in reducing corticosterone levels and improving anxious behaviors and chronic inhibitory stress.