Progesterone-Induced Hyperphagia is Attenuated by Myrica nagi through Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Modulation in Female Mice

Regulation of feeding behavior to control obesity is an alternative line of research for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Compared to other models of obesity, the progesterone-induced obesity model is more specific to the female population; it focuses on the eating behavior and behavioral and emotional changes associated with progesterone. We aimed to study the changes in feeding behavior upon progesterone administration and the effects of Myrica nagi Thunb (Myricaceae) extracts on these changes. Further, this study aimed to provide insights into the progesterone-induced hyperphagia modulated by serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. In this study, experimental obesity was induced in female mice by treating with a high dose of progesterone for 28 days (sub-chronic study) followed by the assessment of parameters such as food consumption behavior, behavioral parameters including ambulatory movements, rearing, and grooming, and biochemical parameters such as lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein), liver parameters (alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), serotonin and dopamine levels, and liver histopathology. The sub-chronic administration of progesterone, via the subcutaneous route, induced significant hyperphagia and promoted fat accumulation. Even though we did not find significant differences in food intake between mice in the control group and progesterone-treated groups, the final weight in the progesterone-administered groups increased, signifying the impact of this progesterone-induced obesity model. Treatment with MEMN extract reversed the progesterone-induced effects suggesting that herbal extracts can be exploited as serotonergic and dopaminergic agents for the treatment of progesterone-induced eating disorders, especially in the female population.