RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Depression is a common, chronic, and often recurrent serious mood disorder. Conventional antidepressants present limitations that stimulate the search for new drugs. Antioxidant and neuroprotective substances are potential antidepressant agents. In this context, riparin I (RIP I) has presented promising results, emerging as a potential source of a new therapeutic drug. In this study, the antidepressant effect of RIP I was evaluated in an animal model of depression induced by corticosterone (CORT). The involvement of neuroprotective and antioxidant mechanisms in the generation of this effect was also assessed. METHODS: Female mice were submitted to CORT for 21 days and treated with RIP I in the last 7 days. Behavioral and neurochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The administration of RIP I reversed the depressive and psychotic-like behavior, as well as the cognitive impairment caused by CORT, in addition to regulating oxidative stress parameters and BDNF levels in depression-related brain areas. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that RIP I can be a strong candidate for drugs in the treatment of depression.