Anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of 15-day serratiopeptidase administration in male BALB/c mice: Behavioral and pharmacodynamic insights
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Abstract
Serratiopeptidase, a proteolytic enzyme derived from Streptomyces griseus, has been traditionally used in the treatment of inflammation and pain. Recent studies have suggested its potential anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of serratiopeptidase on anxiety-like and despair-like behaviors in mice. Male mice were divided into five groups: control, sertraline (positive control), and three serratiopeptidase dose groups (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg). Serratiopeptidase was administered orally for 15 days. Behavioral tests, i.e., the elevated plus maze, light-dark box test, tail suspension test, and forced swimming test, were conducted on day 15. Results demonstrated significant, dose-dependent efficacy: compared with the control group, serratiopeptidase at 20 mg/kg increased open-arm time in the elevated plus maze (mean time was 120.6 ± 7.3 s) and light-compartment exploration in the light-dark box (149.2 ± 10.7 s), indicating robust anxiolytic effects. In depression-related paradigms and again compared with the control group, serratiopeptidase (10–20 mg/kg) reduced immobility time in the tail suspension test (meat time was 33.6 ± 3.8 s and 33.0 ± 2.9 s, respectively) and the forced swimming test (18.8 ± 2.3 s and 22.4 ± 3.1 s, respectively), surpassing sertraline in efficacy. These findings suggest that serratiopeptidase could have some anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects, but further research is needed to confirm these effects and determine the optimal dose and underlying mechanisms.
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