Recent preclinical data have suggested that glutamate NMDA receptor may be involved in the mechanism of action of antidepressant treatments. Functional antagonists of the NMDA receptor complex exhibit an antidepressant-like effect in animal tests that predict antidepressant activity and in animal models of depression. Zinc, a very potent inhibitor of the NMDA receptor, is active in the forced s...

BACKGROUND Young green barley leaf is one of the richest sources of antioxidants and has been widely consumed for health management in Japan. In this study, we examined whether oral administration of young green barley leaf has an antidepressant effect on the forced swimming test in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice were individually forced to swim in an open cylindrical container, one hour af...

Introduction: Ferulic acid, a phenolic phytochemical with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, has shown promising antidepressant-like effects in behavioral studies; however, its mechanism(s) of action have not been fully understood. Based on the contribution of nerve growth factor (NGF) and endocannabinoid signaling (eCBs) to the emotional or antidepressant activ...