Improvement of depressive behavior by Sweetme Sweet Pumpkin™ and its active compound, β-carotene

Aims Sweetme Sweet Pumpkin™ (SSP, baked Cucurbita moschata Duch.) has been used to treat patients with depression in Korea. However, the role of SSP in improving depression has not been elucidated yet. Thus, we assessed the antidepressant-like effect of SSP and its active compound, β-carotene, with the forced swimming test (FST). Main methods SSP and β-carotene were orally administered once a day for 28 days. The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), and estrogen receptor-beta (ER-β) were analyzed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction. Key findings After 28 days, treatment with SSP and β-carotene significantly decreased the immobility time during the FST. SSP significantly increased the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The levels of BDNF, pERK, and ER-β were significantly increased in the SSP- and β-carotene-administered groups compared with the control group. In addition, the groups treated with SSP and β-carotene showed significantly reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 compared with the control group. Significance In conclusion, these findings suggest the potential of SSP and β-carotene as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of depression.