Ameliorative Effect of Quercetin and Rutin via Modulation of Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and Regulation of Fasting Glucose in Chronic Stress‑Induced Prediabetes

Background: Quercetin (QUE) and Rutin (RUT) have nutritive and medicinal values. On the other hand, there are no reports of scientific assessment of its hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis modulation in the treatment of prediabetes (DM). Aim: The current study was designed to investigate the modulatory effects of QUE, RUT, and escitalopram (ESC) as antidepressants on HPA axis in chronic stress‑induced pre‑DM in rats. Materials and Methods: The experimental protocol was of 5 weeks. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used as a model of depression to induce pre‑DM in rats. The treatment was started at the end of 4th week. After 5th week, the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serum corticosterone (CORT), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and behavioral parameters were evaluated. Results: Oral administration of QUE (50 mg/kg), RUT (50 mg/kg), and ESC (2.5 mg/kg) to stressed control alleviated HPA axis‑associated parameters (ACTH and CORT) and significantly decreased the FBG. Besides this, the depressive effects induced by CUMS were significantly improved as evident from results indicating a promising antidepressant activity. Moreover, submaximal dose of QUE (25 mg/kg) and RUT (25 mg/kg) enhanced the antidepressant activity of ESC (1 mg/kg, p.o.), which suggests that they may act through the HPA axis. Conclusion: Current results suggest that chronic stress in rats causes dysregulation of the HPA axis which leads to diabetic‑like condition, i.e., “pre‑DM.” It is possible that QUE, RUT, and ESC may be able to suppress the HPA axis response which could be beneficial for the treatment of stressed diabetic patients.