Cabbage juice supplementation modulates oxido-nitrosative stress, pro-inflammatory and immune responses in female wistar rats exposed to forced swim stress, high-fructose solution and high-fat syrup

Abstract

Plant-derived bioactive compounds possess antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties that may mitigate oxidative and inflammatory disturbances associated with metabolic and psychological stress. This study investigated the modulatory effects of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) juice supplementation on oxido-nitrosative stress and inflammatory responses in female Wistar rats exposed to high-fructose sugar solution (HFSS), high-fat syrup (HFS), and forced swim stress (FST). Fifty-six rats were randomly assigned to eight experimental groups (n = 7) receiving different combinations of HFSS, HFS, cabbage juice, and FST exposure for up to seven weeks. Body mass index (BMI) and relative organ weights were determined, while nitric oxide (NO) levels were assessed in homogenates of the brain, kidney, liver, ovary, and uterus. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations were quantified using ELISA methods. The combined HFSS and HFS diet significantly elevated NO levels in the brain, liver, and ovaries compared with controls (p < 0.05). Cabbage juice supplementation produced tissue-specific modulatory effects on nitric oxide responses, with reductions observed in kidney and uterine NO levels in some treatment groups. TNF-α levels were generally lower in cabbage-treated groups, suggesting anti-inflammatory activity, whereas IL-6 levels were markedly elevated in the group receiving cabbage, HFSS, HFS, and FST simultaneously (p < 0.05). Body mass index and most organ weights showed no significant differences across groups. Overall, cabbage juice supplementation demonstrated organ-specific modulation of oxido-nitrosative and inflammatory responses in female Wistar rats subjected to combined dietary and psychological stress. These findings suggest that cabbage juice potential modulatory role in oxidative and inflammatory pathways associated with metabolic stress conditions.