THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF HESPERIDIN ON NEUROTRANSMITTERS (SEROTONIN AND DOPAMINE) OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS-INDUCED PTSD IN WISTAR RAT

ABSTRACT This study investigates the therapeutic effects of hesperidin on key neurotransmitters in Wistar rats subjected to psychological stress-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).PTSD is ase vere mental health disorder that arises from exposure to traumatic events and is characterized by persistent symptoms of anxiety,hypervigilance, intrusive memories, and emotional dysregulation. These symptoms are closely linked to disruptions in major neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin(5-HT) and dopamine(DA), which play crucial roles in mood regulation, cognition, and stress responses. In this study, 30 adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided in to six groups:a control group, a stress-only group (induced with PTSD),and four treatment groups receiving different doses of hesperidin (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg), a standard selective serotonin uptake inhibitor (SSRI) used in PTSD treatment. The Single Prolonged Stress (SPS) model was employed to induce PTSD in the rats, replicating core PTSD symptoms through a combination o+ Restraint stress, forced swimming , there exposure, and social isolation. The therapeutic effects of hesperid in were assessed through neurochemical analysis of serum neurotransmitter levels and behavioral tests, which included open field tests and elevated plus maze tests to measure anxiety and locomotor activity. The results revealed that hesperid in treatment significantly restored the levels of neurotransmitters in PTSD-induced rats, indicating its capacity to reverse PTSD-induced neurochemical imbalances. Further research is recommended to explore its application in human clinical trials and to investigate its long-term effects on PTSD symptoms and brain health. Keywords: Hesperidin, PTSD, Neurotransmitters, Serotonin, Dopamine.