Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and its phytochemicals as anxiolytic; an underreported effect with therapeutic potential: A systematic review.

Anxiety is a mental disorder characterized by excessive concern about possible future threats that, if prolonged, becomes a pathology that must be controlled through psychotherapy and medication. Currently, the pharmacological treatment for anxiety involves the use of antidepressants and benzodiazepines; however, these treatments often come with adverse effects. Thus, there is a need to seek natural compounds that can help alleviate anxiety and reduce these side effects. On the other hand, pomegranate (PG) fruit is known to have important health benefits, which have been compiled in several reviews. However, its anxiolytic effect has not been thoroughly studied, and clinical research on this topic is lacking. The aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review of studies exploring the anxiolytic-like effect of PG and its phytochemicals. Databases such as Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Springer link, Google scholar, Worldwide science, and Web of science were searched for articles using predetermined terms. Inclusion criteria were established, and original articles that met these criteria were selected. The data collected included information on PG part and variety, species, sample size, anxiety model, dose, route and time of administration, reference drug, main results, and the mechanisms of action. Fifty-nine studies were found that reported the anxiolytic-like effect of PG and its phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, tannins, organic acids, and xanthonoids. The literature suggests that the mechanisms of action behind this effect involved the inhibition of the GABAergic receptor, NMDA, CaMKII/CREB pathway; the reduction of oxidative stress, inhibiting TLR4 and nNOS; modulation of cytokines and the expression of NFkB, GAD67, and iNOS, as well as the activation of Nrf2 and AMPK. PG and some of its phytochemicals could be considered as a novel alternative for the treatment of pathological anxiety. This review is the first to document the anxiolytic-like effect of PG.

Effectiveness evaluation of online Mindfulness in mental health and alcohol consumption in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic / Evaluación de la eficacia del Mindfulness online en la salud mental y el consumo de alcohol en estudiantes de medicina durante la pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract Introduction As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and alcohol consumption has increased among medical students. Mindfulness is an intervention to decrease these psychopathologies and alcohol consumption; however, evidence has shown unclear results regarding its efficacy. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of an online Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on stress, anxiety, and depression symptomatology levels, as well as on alcohol consumption and mindfulness status in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 237 students, obtaining sociodemographic data. In addition the levels of psychopathology, alcohol consumption, and state of mindfulness: were measured pre-and post-intervention through the DASS-21, AUDIT, and MASS instruments. Eight online Mindfulness sessions were conducted once a week for approximately one hour each. Results MBI did not reduce levels of psychopathologies or alcohol consumption, nor did the mindfulness status improve. High levels of psychopathologies, dropout rate, and lack of voluntary participation were the main factors limiting the effectiveness of the online MBI. Discussion and conclusion The online MBI wasn't effective among the population under study: we recommend generation strategies where students are involved in and complete intervention programs. Results from this research will help enhance future online mindfulness interventions.

Resumen Introducción Derivado de la pandemia del COVID-19, la prevalencia de estrés, ansiedad, depresión y consumo de alcohol ha incrementado entre los estudiantes de medicina. La intervención por Mindfulness ha reportado disminuir estas psicopatologías y el consumo de alcohol; no obstante, la evidencia muestra resultados poco claros respecto a su eficacia. Objetivo Evaluar la eficacia de la intervención basada en Mindfulness online (IBM) sobre los niveles de sintomatología de estrés, ansiedad y depresión, así como en el consumo de alcohol y el estado de atención plena en estudiantes de medicina durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Método Se realizó una investigación cuasi-experimental en 237 estudiantes de medicina, de los cuales se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos; además, se midieron los niveles de psicopatologías, consumo de alcohol, y el estado de atención plena pre y post intervención a través de los instrumentos DASS-21, AUDIT, y MASS. Se llevaron a cabo ocho sesiones de Mindfulness online, una vez por semana, de aproximadamente una hora cada una. Resultados La IBM no redujo los niveles de psicopatologías ni de consumo de alcohol ni mejoró el estado de atención plena. Los altos niveles de psicopatologías, la tasa de abandono y la falta de participación voluntaria, fueron los principales factores que limitan la eficacia del IBM online. Discusión y conclusión La IBM online no fue efectiva entre la población estudiada: se recomienda la generación de estrategias en las que los estudiantes se involucren y completen los programas de intervención, los resultados de esta investigación ayudarán a mejorar futuras intervenciones de mindfulness online.

Chrysin, but not flavone backbone, decreases anxiety-like behavior in animal screens.

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone), a nutraceutical flavonoid present in diverse plants, has a backbone structure shared with the flavone backbone, with additional hydroxyl groups that confers its antioxidant properties and effects at the GABAA receptor complex. However, whether these effects are due to the hydroxyl groups is unknown. Here we report the effects of chrysin or the flavone backbone (1 mg/kg) in rats subjected to the elevated plus-maze and the locomotor activity test, as well as in the zebrafish evaluated in light/dark model. Chrysin, but not flavone, increased entries and time in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze, as well as time on white compartment of the light/dark model in zebrafish. These effects were comparable to diazepam, and were devoid of motor effects in both tests, as well as in the locomotor activity test. On the other hand, flavone decreased risk assessment in the light/dark test but increased rearing in the locomotor activity test in rats, suggesting effects threat information gathering; important species differences suggest new avenues of research. It is suggested that the specific effects of chrysin in relation to flavone include more of a mechanism of action in which in addition to its action at the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex also could be involved its free radical scavenging abilities, which require specific research. Preprint: https://doi.org/10.1101/575514; Data and scripts:https://github.com/lanec-unifesspa/chrysin.