Effects of flavonols on emotional behavior and compounds of the serotonergic system: A preclinical systematic review.

Carolina Ramos Mendonça, Raul Manhães-de-Castro, Bárbara Juacy Rodrigues Costa de Santana, Luana Olegário da Silva, Ana Elisa Toscano, Omar Guzmán-Quevedo, Lígia Cristina Monteiro Galindo

Journal: European journal of pharmacology 2022;916():174697

PMID: 34954234

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that regulates multiple psychophysiological functions. An imbalance of 5-HT in the brain can modulate emotional behavior such as depression and anxiety. Substances, such as flavonols, naturally found in some plants and foods have beneficial effects on psychiatric disorders, have been studied. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of flavonols on morphological, physiological, and cellular aspects of the serotonergic system as well as on some behaviors modulated by this system. Literature searches were performed in the LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Sigle via Open Grey databases, from which 1725 studies were found. Using a predefined protocol registered on the CAMARADES website, 18 studies were chosen for qualitative synthesis. Internal validity was assessed using the SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. The Kappa index was also measured to analyze agreement among the reviewers. The results of this systematic review showed that flavonols have been reported to modify physiological aspects of the serotonergic system, increasing levels of serotonin and decreasing levels of its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and promoting antioxidant effects in encephalic regions. Moreover, the results showed that flavonols can also modulate of the serotonergic system, being associated with antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. Additionally, flavonols were found to not have psychostimulant effect; they can, however, reverse damage to locomotor activity.

Address: Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil.; Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Brazil.; Postgraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55608-680, Recife, PE, Brazil.; Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Phenotypic Plasticity, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55608-680, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brazil.; Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55670-901, Recife, PE, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55608-680, Recife, PE, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Brazil.; Postgraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55608-680, Recife, PE, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuronutrition and Metabolic Disorders, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Tacámbaro, 61650, Tacámbaro, Michoacán, Mexico; Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Michoacán, Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social, 58341, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.; Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Phenotypic Plasticity, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 55608-680, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brazil; Department of Anatomy, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil; Studies in Nutrition and Phenotypic Plasticity Unit, Brazil. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174697

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MeSH Terms: Antidepressive Agents, Anxiety, Flavonols, Humans, Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid, Serotonin