Molecular neurobiologyMar 2, 2025

Crocin's effects on memory problems and depression-like behavior after REM sleep loss, linked to brain growth and signaling proteins in male rats

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Updated Apr 6, 2026

Abstract

REM sleep deprivation for 5 and 10 days significantly alters behavior and mood.

Behavioral changes include increased locomotor activity and decreased pain threshold after 5 and 10 days of REM sleep deprivation.
Passive avoidance memory performance is impaired following 5 and 10 days of REM sleep deprivation.
GSK-3β expression levels are increased after 5 and 10 days of REM sleep deprivation.
BDNF levels are decreased only after 5 days of REM sleep deprivation.
Crocin administration restores behavioral changes in rats exposed to 5 days of REM sleep deprivation but has no effect after 10 days.
Crocin also reduces GSK-3β upregulation and BDNF downregulation in rats exposed to 5 days of REM sleep deprivation.

Simplified

Rapid-eye movement sleep deprivation (REM SD) drastically alters behavioral functions and the mood state. Evidence demonstrates that the effects of REM SD on cognition and mood vary significantly based on the duration of deprivation. On the other hand, crocin (as a natural therapeutic compound found in Saffron) may be beneficial for the alleviation of SD effect. The present research aimed to explore the effects of REM SD of varying durations on behavioral functions and the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) in the prefrontal cortex. REM SD was conducted for 1, 5, or 10 days (6 h per day). Crocin was injected intraperitoneally at the dose of 50 mg/kg. The results showed that REM SD for 5- and 10-days increased locomotor activity and rearing, decreased pain threshold, and impaired passive avoidance memory performance. REM SD for 5- and 10-days increased the expression levels of GSK-3β, while only REM SD for 5 days decreased BDNF levels. Crocin (only in rats exposed to REM SD for 5 days) restored behavioral alterations, while in rats exposed to REM SD for 10 days had no effect. Interestingly, crocin in rats exposed to REM SD for 5- and 10-days attenuated GSK-3β upregulation. In addition, crocin in rats exposed to REM SD for 5 but not 10 days attenuated BDNF down regulation. In conclusion, the duration of REM SD is a crucial determinant of its impact on cognitive and mood functions.

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Declarations. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, under the ethical reference number IR.IAU.PS.REC.1403.205. All experimental procedures complied with the ethical standards outlined in the 2011 U.S. National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, ensuring the humane and ethical treatment of animals throughout the study. Consent to Participate: Not applicable. Consent to Publish: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

PubMed

Crocin's effects on memory problems and depression-like behavior after REM sleep loss, linked to brain growth and signaling proteins in male rats

Abstract

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Funding

Competing interests

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Abstract

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