The Expression of Melanin Concentrating Hormone and Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone Genes in a Stress Model Rats Receiving Formononetin

Background: Stress is an aversive stimulus that disrupts the organism's biological balance. Formononetin, an isoflavone, has been implicated in anxiolytic responses. However, the intra-hypothalamic molecular mechanisms by which formononetin controls stress remain unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of formononetin on hypothalamic Mch and Crh gene expression in a rat model of stress. Methods: Male Wistar rats (200 - 220 g) were used. Thirty minutes before exposure to stress, the rats were injected with either saline or formononetin. Two hours after stress induction, hypothalamic samples were dissected and stored at -70°C until the measurement of Mch and Crh gene expression using real-time PCR. Results: Stress induction led to a significant increase in Mch and Crh mRNA levels. However, animals receiving formononetin showed a significant reduction in Mch and Crh mRNA levels compared to the stressed rats. Conclusions: Formononetin may exert anxiolytic effects by down-regulating intra-hypothalamic CRH and MCH signaling pathways.