Comparative Effect of Resveratrol and Aspirin in Long-Chain Fatty Acids and Serum Biomarkers in a Rat Model of Depression

Student: Omolade Titilade Atolagbe (Project, 2025)
Department of Physiology
University of Ilorin, Kwara State


Abstract

Conventional antidepressants, while widely used, are frequently limited by delayed onset, side effects, and resistance in a subset of patients, thereby necessitating the exploration of alternative treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the antidepressant effect of administration of Resveratrol and Aspirin in social instability stress (SIS)-induced depression in female Wistar rats. The experiment was carried out on 42 female Wistar rats within the weight of 180g- 220g. Social instability stress model was used to induce depression-like behavior and the rats were assigned into six (6) groups of 7 rats each. Groups 1 and 2 were the control and resilient groups respectively. Group 3 were susceptible rats administered distilled water. Groups 4, 5 and 6 were also susceptible rats treated with Escitalopram, Resveratrol and Aspirin respectively. Administration was done for all treated groups for a period of 56 days and samples were collected at the end of the treatment. Analytical results showed that both resveratrol and aspirin caused a significant improvement in depression-like symptoms by regulating inflammation, stress hormones, metabolism, and neural repair.

Keywords
Resveratrol Aspirin Depression Rat Model Long-Chain Fatty Acids Serum Biomarkers Neuroinflammation Antidepressant Effect Oxidative Stress