J Korean Soc Menopause.  2010 Apr;16(1):39-45.

The Effect of Pomegranate on Depression, Anxiety, and Food Intake in Ovariectomized Rats

• Ahn KH
• Yi KW
• Park HT
• Shin JH
• Hur JY
• Kim YT
• Kim SH
• Lee KW
• Kim SH
• Bae CS
• Kim T

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To determine whether or not pomegranate extract can affect depression, anxiety, and food intake in ovariectomized rats.
METHODS
Seventy-nine female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: A, no operation and no drug intake; B, sham operation and distilled water; C, ovariectomy and distilled water; D, ovariectomy and 10% dilute pomegranate extract; E, ovariectomy and 20% dilute pomegranate extract; and F, ovariectomy and 40% dilute pomegranate extract. Beginning 2 days after surgery, drugs were administrated for 4 weeks. After that, the rats were subjected to the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and forced swim test (FST).
RESULTS
The 10% pomegranate extract had a lower % closed arm entry frequency in the EPM test. A pomegranate dose-dependent decrease in the duration of immobility duration in FST was shown. Pomegranate did not reverse ovariectomy-related hyperphagia and weight gain.
CONCLUSION
Pomegranate extract improved depression and anxiety in a postmenopausal model with ovariectomized rats.

Keyword

Pomegranate; Depression; Anxiety; Food intake

MeSH Terms

Animals
Anxiety
Arm
Depression
Eating
Female
Humans
Hyperphagia
Ovariectomy
Punicaceae
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Salicylamides
Salicylamides