Influence of Polygonum minus Aqueous Extract on Monoamine Oxidase-A Transcriptional Activators KLF-11 and SIRT1 Levels in the Hippocampus of Stress-induced Depressed Mice

Background: Monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of monoamines (serotonin and norepinephrine). MAO-A is also a target to treat the depressive disorders. Kruppel-likefactor11(KLF11) and Sirtuin1(SIRT1) are the main transcriptional activators of MAO-A. Polygonum minus (P. minus) aqueous extract showed some neuroprotective properties in previous studies like improved memory and positive mood. The aim of current study was to evaluate the effects of P. minus aqueous effects on KLF11 and SIRT1 levels in hippocampus of stressed mice. Materials and Methods: Balb/c mice (22g-26g) were used in this study and P. minus aqueous extract was administered for 8 weeks with three different doses (P. minus 50mg, P. minus 100 mg and P. minus 200mg) in different groups. Amitriptyline 20 mg was used as positive control antidepressant. Chronic ultra-mild stress protocol was used for 6 weeks to induce the depression among mice groups except control group. Results: The results showed that all doses of P. minus reduce the KLF11 level significantly but only P. minus 200mg showed reduction in SIRT1 level in hippocampus of mice significantly. Conclusion: It is concluded that P. minus aqueous extract treatment showed a significant reverse in an elevated level of KLF11 and SIRT1 in hippocampus of stressed mice after treatment of 8 weeks.