(−)‐Epigallocatechin Gallate Ameliorates Chronic Stress‐Induced Depression‐Like Behavior in Rats by Inhibiting the <scp>NF</scp> ‐ <scp>κB</scp> /Caspase‐1 Signaling Pathway and Reducing <scp>IL</scp> ‐1β and <scp>IL</scp> ‐18 Expression
This study aimed to further clarify the ameliorative effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on depression and depression-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. EGCG was administered via intraperitoneal injection, and liver function and blood lipid profiles were assessed. Western blot analysis was employed to determine the expression levels of caspase-1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), as well as inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). The results showed that CUMS induced depression-like behaviors (including anhedonia and behavioral despair) in rats, accompanied by reduced body weight, decreased liver index, and dyslipidemia. Western blot analysis revealed significantly elevated expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (NF-κB, cleaved-caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) in both the liver and brain tissues of the CUMS group. EGCG treatment could reverse these results. Notably, female rats exhibited more severe CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors than male rats. These findings suggest that EGCG can alleviate CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors (anhedonia and behavioral despair) in female rats. This protective effect may be mediated by inhibiting the NF-κB/caspase-1 pyroptosis pathway, reducing IL-1β and IL-18 expression, thereby improving hepatocellular pyroptosis and alleviating liver injury.
Authors
- Meimei Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7751-6732)
- Guixian Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4339-2633)
- Yue Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6051-2241)
- Chaozhi Xu
- Hongxian Wu
- Wenjun Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5789-9959)
- Wanhua Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8969-1148)
- Yue Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5346-0164)
- Yuling Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8018-8020)
- Yulin Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0031-1808)
- Jieyu Xu
- Xu Yao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4984-4069)
- Zongyi Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9070-5674)
- Shanqian Li
- Lina Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4359-7852)
- Jianjun Jin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5020-9625)
Institutions
- Guangxi Medical University (CN)
- Guilin Medical University (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN)
- Fudan University (CN)
- Social Welfare Department (HK)
- Guilin University of Aerospace Technology (CN)
- National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases (CN)
- Liuzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital (CN)
- Liuzhou General Hospital (CN)
- Shandong Institute of Food and Drug Inspection (CN)
- Yan'an University (CN)
- Second Hospital of Yichang (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of GuangXi Medical University (CN)
- Zhongshan Hospital (CN)
- Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CN)
- Life Cycle Engineering (United States) (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Food Science & Nutrition
- Published
- 2025-09-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70961
- Primary Topic
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province
- Guangxi Medical University
- Guilin Medical University