Introduction: Oxidative stress refers to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells and tissues and antioxidant system cannot be able to neutralize them. Imbalance in this protective mechanism can lead to the damage of cellular molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. Antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), carotenoids, polyphenols, thiols, scavenge free radicals. Functional food and Nutraceutical contains antioxidants that inhibit oxidation. The present study was undertaken to explore the burden of oxidative stress present in significant depression and to measure the effect of functional food and nutraceutical to alleviate this oxidative stress.

Methodology: The study was conducted on rat model. A total of thirty Wistar albino rats were included in this study. Total study period was 14 days for experimental model. Disorder was induced by chemical stress technique. Chemical stress induced depression was made by administering chemical stressor (reserpine) for fourteen days. Each model was divided into six groups, where they were administered OFSP2, Carrot, Ceevit (vitamin C), antidepressant (Clomipramine), and placebo. All the animals was scarified on day fifteen. After meticulous dissection the adrenal gland and the brain samples were collected. Then the blood samples were collected for estimation of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NO) and enzyme activity Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Data analysis was done by SPSS v22 and Microsoft Excel 2013. ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey test were done to analyze the data.

Results: There was statistically significant difference among the groups in case of adrenal gland (p=0.041), percent weight change (p=<0.0001), MDA level (p=<=0.0001), SOD level (p=0.04) and NO level (p=0.034). But there was statistically insignificant difference among the groups in case of brain weight (p=0.44).

Conclusion: From the all parameters, except brain weight it is concluded that functional food and nutraceutical significantly alleviate oxidative stress.

Keywords: functional food, nutraceutical, oxidative stress, antioxidants

Oxidative stress is defined as biochemical imbalance between free radicals and the pro-oxidant/antioxidants level. In this situation production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeds the capacity of naturally-existing antioxidants defense mechanisms.¹

In the maintenance of this balance antioxidants of synthetic or natural origin may have a crucial role.² Depression has been associated with oxidative stress.³

Mitochondrial oxidative processes generate free radicals, which are highly reactive species chemically. When these radicals become in excess or when the antioxidants system gets consumed, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) may react with macromolecules of the cell like fatty acid, DNA, protein, etc., thereby causing damage to these macromolecules. The brain, due to its high metabolic rate, is one of the most vulnerable organs to the damaging effects of ROS.⁴ The adrenal gland is an essential stress responsive organ and after exposure to oxidative stress it can cause hypertrophy in specific regions of the adrenal gland.⁵

Functional food is the food that not only necessary for living but also a source of mental and physical well-being. Functional food contributes to the prevention and reduction of risk factors for several diseases or to enhance certain physiological functions.⁶ Whole foods represent the simplest example of functional food. Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, and carrots, are considered functional foods because of their high contents of physiologically active components (polyphenols, B-carotene, respectively)

A nutraceutical may be defined as a naturally nutrient-rich bioactive or therapeutically active food, or it may be considered as a specific component of a food (such as beta carotene, polyphenols etc.) that apparently provides medicinal or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease.⁷ Nutraceuticals are marketed in concentrated forms as a single substance or in combination (such as pills, capsules, powders and tinctures etc.). Functional foods and nutraceuticals constitute a great promise to improve health and prevent diseases through their antioxidants properties because they are rich in antioxidants compound.⁸

The present study was undertaken to explore the burden of oxidative stress present in significant depression and to measure the effect of functional food and nutraceutical to alleviate this oxidative stress. MDA (malondialdehyde), Nitric Oxide (NO), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) etc. are biochemical markers. These markers were compared in the serum of twenty-five significant depressed rats with five healthy age and sex matched controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide (NO) are oxidant parameters whereas Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is antioxidants defense marker.

Study subject

Initial weight ranging between 90-140 grams and age ranging was 50-60 days the experimental study was conducted on thirty (30) healthy Wistar albino rats. In the beginning of the study unhealthy and diseased rats were excluded. The control group for non -stressed rats were matched for age, sex and other exclusion criteria. This study was approved by Ethics Committee, Dean of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka.

Methods

After selection of rats based on selection criteria they were acclimatized in the animal house for 14 days before intervention. The entire study period remained fourteen (14) days for this experimental model. After acclimatization for 14 days, the rats were divided into groups. The study model has consisted of six (6) groups. Group A was given 25g of boiled orange-fleshed sweet potatoes; group B was given boiled carrot at a dose of 25g. Group C was given nutraceutical Ceevit (vitamin C tablet) at a dose of 25g. An antidepressant drug Clomipramine was given to Group D at a dose of 25g. Group E was negative control and group F was control giving only basal diet. All animals were exposed to stress except group F. Stress was induced by administering reserpine 0.50mg/kg body weight/day, in this chemical stress experimental model.

All the animals were sacrificed on the day 15. The blood samples were centrifuged and the serum was separated from the blood. The separated serum was kept frozen and stored at refrigerated temperature until assayed. After dissection of rats, the brain and adrenal glands of rats were collected, washed, weighted by using an electric balance analyzer. Then the brain and adrenal glands were preserved in formalin. The serum MDA level was assessed by Thiobarbituric acid assay method, the serum SOD level was assessed by Pyrogallol auto-oxidation method and the serum NO level was assessed by Griess reagent method. Average values derived from these methods were used for the analysis.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (22.0 version) and Microsoft Excel 2013. Quantitative data were presented as mean ± SD. ANOVA test was conducted to see the difference between groups and within groups. The Post- hoc Tukey test was conducted, if the differences between groups were significant. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05 for the Post- hoc Tukey test.

Weight of adrenal gland, brain and percentage of body weight change of the six groups of rats are presented in Table 1 with statistically significant difference between the groups regarding adrenal gland and body weight change and in case of brain weight statistically insignificant difference between groups. The biochemical parameters of groups are shown in Table 2. In comparison with other group’s serum MDA, serum NO were significantly higher in control group (p < 0.05) figure 1 & 3. In Orange-fleshed sweet potato group serum SOD was substantially higher (p < 0.001) showed in figure 2. Serum MDA level was considerably lower in functional food groups (Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes; 1.34±0.829 and Carrots; 2.43±0.365nmol/ml) and nutraceutical group (Ceevit) compared to the positive control group Clomipramine that is used as antidepressant drug (2.75±0.625 vs. 3.39±0.287 nmol/ml) and negative control group (2.75±0.625 vs. 8.29±1.073 nmol/ml, p=<0.000). SOD level was significantly higher in functional food groups (OFSP and Carrot) compare to Clomipramine group (3.38±3.13 U/ml;2.24±1.20 U/ml vs. 2.03±0.365 U/ml) but SOD level in nutraceutical group was significantly lower than Clomipramine group (1.97±0.245 U/ml vs. 2.03±0.365 U/ml) and insignificantly higher than negative control group (1.97±0.245 U/ml vs.1.29±0.342 U/ml, p=0.577). Serum NO level was considerably lower in functional food group OFSP compared to the Clomipramine group (0.98±0.113 µM/L vs. 1.17±0.165 µM/L). Functional food group Carrot has slightly higher NO level than that of the Clomipramine group (1.19±0.159 µM/L vs. 1.17±0.165 µM/L) but it was insignificant. Serum NO level in the nutraceutical group was insignificantly higher than that of the Clomipramine group (1.26±0.398 vs. 1.17±0.165 µM/L) and markedly lower than that of the control group (1.26±0.398 µM/L vs. 1.54±0.072 µM/L, p=0.05)

Figure 1 Serum MDA concentration among groups means with the different superscripts are significantly different at P < 0.05 (Tukey’s post hoc test).

Figure 2 Serum SOD concentration among groups means with the different superscripts are significantly different at P < 0.05 (Tukey’s post hoc test).

Figure 3 Serum NO concentration among groups means with the different superscripts are significantly different at P < 0.05 (Tukey’s post hoc test).

Figure 4 Mean weight of brain and adrenal gland among groups. Means with the different superscripts are significantly different at P < 0.05 (Tukey’s post hoc test).

In the current study we demonstrated that there was statistically significant difference between functional food group and nutraceutical group in comparison with control group as regards MDA, SOD and NO level. This agrees with what was reported by Del Rio et al,.⁹ who conducted a study to evaluate MDA was biomarker of oxidative stress. Stress causes production of reactive oxygen species which degrade polyunsaturated fatty acid that raise MDA level.¹⁰ However Sahin et al,.¹¹ demonstrated that functional food decrease serum MDA concentration and increase antioxidant status. In galactose‐induced ageing mice nutraceutical, prompts the ability of anti‐ oxidation, anti‐fatigue and anti‐stress, increases SOD activity and decreases MDA level.¹²

Evidence suggests that various enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems have been developed by the cell to attenuate ROS. However, when a condition of oxidative stress establishes, the defense capacities against ROS becomes insufficient. Therefore, ROS affects the antioxidant defense mechanisms, reduces the intracellular concentration of GSH, decreases the activity of SOD and enhances lipid peroxidation.¹ SOD is an antioxidant enzyme capable of reducing superoxide radicals through converting superoxide radicals to H₂O₂ and H₂O.¹³ In our study, decrease in the antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD) in serum was found in negative control group compare to other groups (p= 0.04). In the present study higher enzymatic activities were found in functional food groups and that are statistically significant (p=0.042 and p=0.034) but in nutraceutical group result is insignificant (p=0.577). In a study reported by Rana et al. patients with abdominal trauma had reduced SOD levels compared with those in the control group.¹⁴ In addition, an animal study by Halici et al. showed that SOD levels were reduced in cases of femur fracture.¹⁵ However, it has also been reported that SOD levels after trauma are first reduced and then decreased.¹⁶

Increased ROS concentrations reduce the amount of bioactive NO by chemical inactivation to form toxic peroxynitrite.¹⁷ Peroxynitrite acts as free radicals that can decompose to produce OH. and NO.¹⁸ Evidence suggest that in inflammation states NO production by the vasculature increases substantially and in association with ROS, contributes to oxidative stress and in these cases NO play roles in neurodegenerative disorders and serve as neurotoxin.¹⁹ In the present study increase NO level in serum was found in control groups compare to other groups (p= 0.034). In functional food groups NO levels were lower but the result is not significant (p= 0.969 and p=0.190) but in nutraceutical the result is significant (p=0.05).

There were significant differences in parameters between the negative control and basal diet group that received no stress which means reserpine produces chemical stress in rat model. Evidence showed that reserpine is a monoamine depletory that exerts a blockade on the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) for neuronal transmission or storage, stimulating dopamine-autoxidation which can increase dopamine levels and oxidative catabolism by monoamine oxidase (MAO).²⁰ The exacerbation of dopamine metabolism in basal ganglia, are rich in monoamines can lead to increase production of free radicals such as highly reactive hydroxyl radicals and auto-oxidation of dopamine into dopamine quinones (which are free radicals in themselves) and superoxide anions which cause neurotoxicity.²⁰

Present study revealed that oxidative stress is associated with some organ change (brain and adrenal gland). The result of this study showed that, weight of adrenal gland in groups OFSP, Carrot, Ceevit was significantly lower than the negative control group and weight of brain was insignificantly higher than the negative control group.

Previous studies have shown that repeated restraint stress alters some physiological phenomenon such as decreased brain weight, adrenal hypertrophy and decreased body weight.²¹

The brain is more susceptible to oxidative damage when compared to other organs or systems, mainly because it contains high levels of membrane lipids, excitotoxic amino acids, low levels of antioxidant defenses and auto-oxidizable neurotransmitters.²⁰ In this study there was statistically insignificant difference among groups, F (5, 24) = 0.990, p= 0.444. The weight of brain of group OFSP and Ceevit was insignificantly higher than the negative control group (p=0.995, p=0.477 respectively). The mean weight of brain of group OFSP2, Ceevit was almost similar to Clomipramine group.

The adrenal gland is an essential stress responsive organ, several animal studies have shown hypertrophy of specific regions of the adrenal gland after exposure to chronic stress.⁵ Toxicology studies have demonstrated that hypertrophy can arise from an acute stress response.²² In the study there was statistically significant difference among groups, F (5, 24) = 2.776, p= 0.041. The weight of adrenal gland of group OFSP, Carrot and Ceevit was significantly lower than negative control group (p=0.042, p=0.983 and p=0.047 respectively). The mean weight of adrenal gland of group OFSP, Carrot and Ceevit was almost similar to Clomipramine group.^23–26

Functional food groups and nutraceutical group had depleted serum MDA and NO concentration and high level of SOD concentration compared to the negative control group. It suggests that the reserpine induced ROS generation and overuse of exogenous antioxidants available in serum. In conclusion this study showed that functional food and nutraceutical have anti-oxidative stress effect and this could suggest the effective use of Orange fleshed sweet potatoes, Carrots and vitamin C enriched Ceevit have effective role in alleviating oxidative stress in animal.

All the persons involve in this research are kindly acknowledged for their support and special thanks to Professor Dr. Sheikh Nazrul Islam, University of Dhaka. The authors would like to acknowledge Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and Hamdard Laboratories (WAQF) Bangladesh for financial support.

Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

None.

1. Delfino RJ, Staimer N, Vaziri ND. Air pollution and circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress. Air Qual Atmos Heal. 2011;4(1):37–52.
2. Alfonso Valenzuela B, Sanhueza J, Nieto S. Natural antioxidants in functional foods: from food safety to health benefits. Grasas y Aceites. 2003;54(3):295–303.
3. Khanzode SD, Dakhale GN, Khanzode SS, et al. Oxidative damage and major depression: the potential antioxidant action of selective serotonin-re-uptake inhibitors. Redox Rep. 2003;8(6):365–370.
4. Bajpai A, Verma AK, Srivastava M, et al. Oxidative stress and major depression. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(12):4–7.
5. Wilson CB, McLaughlin LD, Nair A, et al. Inflammation and oxidative stress are elevated in the brain, blood, and adrenal glands during the progression of post-traumatic stress disorder in a predator exposure animal model. PLoS One. 2013;8(10):e76146.
6. Lobo V, Patil A, Phatak A, et al. Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(8):118–126.
7. Keservani RK, Kesharwani RK, Vyas N. Nutraceutical and functional food as future food: a review. Der Pharm Lett. 2010;2(1):106–116.
8. Ferrari CKB, Torres EAFS. Biochemical pharmacology of functional foods and prevention of chronic diseases of aging. Biomed Pharmacother. 2003;57(5–6):251–260.
9. Del Rio D, Stewart AJ, Pellegrini N. A review of recent studies on malondialdehyde as toxic molecule and biological marker of oxidative stress. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 200515(4):316–328.
10. Bartolomucci A, Leopardi R. Stress and depression: preclinical research and clinical implications. PLoS One. 2009;4(1):e4265.
11. Sahin N, Akdemir F, Orhan C, et al. Lycopene-enriched quail egg as functional food for humans. Food Research International. 2008;41(3):295–300.
12. Shen CY, Jiang JG, Yang L, et al. Anti-ageing active ingredients from herbs and nutraceuticals used in traditional Chinese medicine: pharmacological mechanisms and implications for drug discovery. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2017;174(11):1395–1425.
13. Maier CM, Chan PH. Role of superoxide dismutases in oxidative damage and neurodegenerative disorders. Neuroscientist. 2002;8(4):323–334.
14. Rana SV, Kashinath D, Singh G, et al. Study on oxidative stress in patients with abdominal trauma. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006;29(1–2):161–166.
15. Halici M, Öner M, Güney A, et al. Melatonin promotes fracture healing in the rat model. Eklem Hastalik Cerrahisi. 2010;21(3):172–177.
16. Kuyumcu F, Aycan A. Evaluation of oxidative stress levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in burst fractures. Med Sci Monit. 2018;24:225–234.
17. Förstermann U. Nitric oxide and oxidative stress in vascular disease. Pflugers Arch Eur J Physiol. 2010;459(6):923–939.
18. Hazra B, Biswas S, Mandal N. Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Spondias pinnata. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2008;9:63.
19. Lubos E, Handy DE, Loscalzo J. Role of oxidative stress and nitric oxide in atherothrombosis. Front Biosci. 2008;13:5323–5344.
20. Teixeira AM, Trevizol F, Colpo G, et al. Influence of chronic exercise on reserpine-induced oxidative stress in rats: Behavioral and antioxidant evaluations. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2008;88(4):465–472.
21. Bremner JD. Stress and brain atrophy. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2006;5(5):503–512.
22. Harvey PW, Sutcliffe C. Adrenocortical hypertrophy: establishing cause and toxicological significance. J Appl Toxicol. 2010;30(7):617–626.
23. Draper HH, Squires EJ, Mahmoodi H, et al. A comparative evaluation of thiobarbituric acid methods for the determination of malondialdehyde in biological materials. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 1993;15(4):353–363.
24. Valenzuela A. The biological significance of malondialdehyde determination in the assessment of tissue oxidative stress. Life Sciences. 1991;48(4):301–309.
25. Li X. Improved pyrogallol autoxidation method: a reliable and cheap superoxide-scavenging assay suitable for all antioxidants. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2012;60(25):6418–6424.
26. Sun J, Zhang X, Broderick M, et al. Measurement of nitric oxide production in biological systems by using Griess reaction assay. Sensors. 2003;3(8):276–284.