2026 ECNP Congress

PS02-2203

Kochia scoparia seed extract ameliorates anhedonia and social interaction deficits in a D-galactose-induced aging model

Mehmed Reyzov — M. Eftimov, A. Georgieva, S. Georgieva, M. Nikolova, O. Tasinov, S. Gancheva · Medical University of Varna, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Varna, Bulgaria

2026 ECNP Congress

Background

Aging is associated with an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, which often coexist and significantly impair quality of life [1]. The D-galactose-induced aging model is widely used to mimic age-related behavioral and biochemical alterations, driven by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation [2]. Previous studies have reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and psychopharmacological activities of Kochia scoparia (syn. Bassia scoparia) seed infusion [3]. However, the effects of its concentrated extract in experimental models of aging remain to be elucidated.

Objectives

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kochia scoparia seed extract (KSE), administered at three increasing doses, on depression- and anxiety-like behavior in a D-galactose-induced rat model of aging.

Methods

Fortymale Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=8 per group): Control, D-galactose (D-gal), and D-gal treated with KSE at doses of 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg. Aging was induced by daily subcutaneous administration of D-galactose (150 mg/kg). KSE (70% ethanol extract) was administered orally once daily. After 8 weeks of treatment, behavioral tests were performed – Sucrose Preference Test (SPT) for assessment of anhedonia, Open Field Test (OFT) for evaluation of locomotor activity and anxiety-like state, and Social Interaction Test (SIT) for detection of social withdrawal. Statistical analysis included Student’s t-test for validation of the model and one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test for evaluation of the KSE effects. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

Administration of D-galactose successfully induced a senescent phenotype, characterized by significant behavioral impairments. A marked reduction in sucrose preference was observed compared to controls (38.2±3.85% vs. 65.65±1.65%, p<0.0001), indicating pronounced anhedonia. Anxiety-like behavior was evidenced by decreased social interaction time in the SIT (16.01±3.05 s vs. 28.39±3.84 s, p<0.05), and decrease of the number of central zone entries (0.25±0.16 vs. 1.75±0.65, p<0.05) and time spent in the central area (9.55±1.53 s vs. 16±2.01 s, p<0.05) in the OFT. KSE treatment significantly attenuated several of these behavioral deficits. In the SPT, a significant overall treatment effect was observed (one-way ANOVA, p<0.0001). Post hoc analysis showed that all KSE doses significantly increased sucrose preference compared to the D-gal group (p<0.001 for 25 and 50 mg/kg; p<0.01 for 100 mg/kg). In the SIT, the lowest dose (25 mg/kg) significantly increased social interaction time (p<0.05), suggesting anxiolytic-like activity. No significant changes in locomotor activity were observed in any group, indicating that the behavioral effects were not due to nonspecific motor stimulation.

Conclusions

Kochia scoparia seed extract ameliorates key behavioral impairments in a D-galactose-induced model of aging, particularly anhedonia and social withdrawal. The results support the potential of KSE as a source of bioactive compounds with antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects and justify further investigations into its mechanisms of action and therapeutic relevance in age-related neuropsychiatric disorders.

References

  1. World Health Organization, 2025. Mental health of older adults. Available from: www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults. [Accessed: 30 April 2026].
  2. Rajendran, P., Al-Saeedi, F.J., Ammar, R.B., Abdallah, B.M., Ali, E.M., Al Abdulsalam, N.K., Tejavat, S., Althumairy, D., Veeraraghavan, V.P., Alamer, S.A., Bekhet, G.M., Ahmed, E.A., 2024. Geraniol attenuates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation-mediated cognitive impairment in D galactose-induced mouse aging model. Aging 16 (6), 5000–5026.
  3. Reyzov, M., Gancheva, S., Eftimov, M., Todorova, M., Valcheva-Kuzmanova, S., Zhelyazkova-Savova, M., 2025. Kochia scoparia seed infusion ameliorates behavioral impairment in rats subjected to calorie-dense diet. Acta Med. Bulg. 52(4), 43-49.