Anthocyanin Extract From Purple Sweet Potato Improving Neurotransmitter and Locomotor in Chronic Stressed-mice

Background: Prolonged stress plays an essential role in depression disorder through brain inflammation and neurotransmitter imbalances. The natural plant antioxidant is promising to resist the negative impact of stress. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effect of total anthocyanin (ANC) extracts from purple sweet potatoes (PSP) on brain neurotransmitters, inflammation, and locomotor behavior in the chronic-stressed mice model. Methods: Twenty male adult BALB/c mice were assigned to control, stress (STR), STR+ANC (10 mg/kg body weight [BW]), STR+ANC (20 mg/kg BW), and STR+ANC (40 mg/kg BW). Restraint stress was applied 2 h/d for 14 days. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure brain dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and corticosterone levels. The locomotor behavior was analyzed using an open field test before and after ANC treatment. In silico, molecular docking was carried out between ANC and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) enzyme. Results: Administration of ANC decreased brain corticosterone levels. The dopamine neurotransmitter decreased in the stress-induced group and increased following ANC treatment. Increased GABA levels were observed in the stressed and treated groups. Locomotor analysis showed reduced total distance movement and velocity after ANC treatment. Molecular prediction showed that ANC can inhibit the MAO-B enzymes. Conclusion: The ANC extracted from PSP relieved brain inflammation and modified the neurotransmitters of dopamine and GABA, affecting the locomotor function of chronically stressed-induced mice. Furthermore, in vivo studies are necessary to evaluate the molecular mechanism of ANC from PSP in chronic stress exposure, particularly on MAO enzyme regulation.