Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum on Apoptosis in the Right Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Male Rats in an Animal Model of Depression

Background and Aim: Depression is one of the most common stress-related mood disorders. Cinnamon, a widely used food spice, possesses various medicinal properties, including antioxidant, sedative, mood-enhancing and neuroprotective effects. In this study, the effects of cinnamon hydroalcoholic extract on apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were investigated using an animal model of depression. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats (250 ± 25 g) were randomly divided into five groups: sham (receiving saline and DMSO. ip for 28 days), control (receiving saline and DMSO. ip for 28 days simultaneously with the depression induction protocol), positive control (receiving imipramine, 15 mg/kg, ip for 28 days simultaneously with the depression induction protocol), and two treatment groups (receiving cinnamon hydroalcoholic extract at concentrations of 200 and 400 mg/kg, ip for 28 days simultaneously with the depression induction protocol). On days 0, 7, 14, and 28, the animals were subjected to forced swimming and sucrose preference tests. On day 29, after anesthesia induction, the right prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were isolated to examine apoptosis. Behavioral and apoptosis data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.