According to World Health Organization, approximately 5% of adults suffer from depression and it is expected to be the leading form of disability by 2030. Pathophysiological pathways of depression remain unclear, though. It was found that patients diagnosed with depression have increased levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) along with elevated levels of plasma cortisol. Additionally, it is known that glucocorticoid levels impact brain membrane lipid composition in rats.

Membrane lipids play critical roles in the brain’s protection and cell signaling. Indeed, lateral mobility and activity of the membrane-bound receptors are affected by membrane fluidity. Furthermore, it is understood that lipid impairment brought on by stress is associated with the occurrence of depressive illnesses.

Researchers have assessed the membrane fluidity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by examining the impact of St. John’s wort extract (SJW) Ze 117, an extract from Hypericum perforatum, used as an antidepressant. Its mechanism of action on lipid composition and its effect on cortisol-stress-induced cells was investigated.

Read more here: https://www.lipotype.com/lipidomics-resource-center/?q=Impact%20of%20St.%20John%E2%80%99s%20wort%20extract%20Ze%20117%20on%20stress%20induced%20changes%20in%20the%20lipidome%20of%20PBMC

#MassSpectrometry #MembraneFluidity #antidepressant #lipid