The present study evaluated the effects of blackberry juice that is rich in different concentrations of anthocyanins and polyphenols (2.6 mg/kg anthocyanins, 14.57 mg/kg polyphenols; 5.83 mg/kg anthocyanins, 27.10 mg/kg polyphenols; 10.57 mg/kg anthocyanins, 38.40 mg/kg polyphenols) on anxiety-like behaviour in Wistar rats. The rats were treated with blackberry juice for 21 days and then tested in the elevated plus maze, locomotor activity test and forced swim test. The results were compared with a reference anxiolytic drug diazepam (2.0 mg/kg) and vehicle (8.7 ml/kg). The intermediate dose of blackberry juice exerted an anxiolytic-like effect that was similar to diazepam, without affecting locomotive activity. The low and high doses of blackberry juice exerted no significant effects on anxiety-like behaviour compared with vehicle. In the forced swim test, both the high and intermediate doses of blackberry juice reduced total immobility time, suggesting a protective effect against behavioural changes that are induced by acute stress. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic effect of blackberry juice on anxiety that is associated with a stressful event.

Depressive disorders are among the most disabling diseases experienced around the world, and their incidence has significantly increased over the last few decades due to multiple environmental, social, and biological factors. The search for new pharmacological alternatives to treat depression is a global priority. In preclinical research, molecules obtained from plants, such as flavonoids, have shown promising antidepressant-like properties through several mechanisms of action that have not been fully elucidated, including crossing of the blood brain barrier (BBB). This review will focus on discussing the main findings related to the participation of the serotonergic system and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the antidepressant-like effect of some flavonoids reported by behavioral, neurochemical, and molecular studies. In this sense, evidence shows that depressive individuals have low levels of serotonin and BDNF, while flavonoids can reverse it. Finally, the elucidation of the mechanism used by flavonoids to modulate serotonin and BDNF will contribute to our understanding of the neurobiological bases underlying the antidepressant-like effects produced by these natural compounds.

Sterculia apetala (order: Malvales, family: Sterculiaceae) seed oil contains two cyclopropene fatty acids: sterculic and malvalic acid. Both positive and negative effects have been associated with the consumption of sterculic oil. In Mexico, S. apetala seeds are consumed after being boiled or roasted, used as chocolate flavoring, and utilized as animal fodder. Therefore, it is important to evaluate whether the consumption of this seed has a negative impact on the organism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of sterculic oil, during an 8-week period, on anxiety-like behavior and spontaneous locomotor activity in Zucker rats, analyzed through light/dark and open-field tests. The results showed that the consumption of sterculic oil decreased exploration latency in light/dark tests, which suggests an anxiolytic-like effect. Alterations in time spent on rearing and grooming were present in open-field tests, but this was not statistically significant, discarding nonspecific motor alterations. The alterations found in this study are possibly related to intrinsic obesity and metabolic complications present in the Zucker rat model, where leptin plays an important role in animal mood, more so than sterculic oil consumption.

The body’s physiology during physical injuries and diseases depends heavily on the function of acute inflammation. On the other hand, many variables, including iatrogenic, immune system deficiencies, lifestyle, and social and environmental factors, are significant in developing systemic chronic inflammation (SCI). SCI is a major contributor to many diseases and a global cause of death and disability. Therefore, in the present article, we suggest integrative strategies for preventing SCI by addressing receptor overexpression and promoting health improvement. With the objective of reducing chronic inflammation by regulating cytokines, chemokines, and receptor modulation to try to reduce the risk of developing systemic chronic inflammatory diseases (also known as chronic-degenerative diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, and psychiatric disorders), the strategies we suggest are dietary modifications, exercise, and meditation. Accordingly, the prevention of SCI can be approached holistically with the help of the previous strategies, which may substantially impact public health.

Mental health is a critical component of well-being and a growing global concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as complete physical, cognitive, and social well-being, emphasizing that mental health is not merely the absence of mental disorders but a foundation for individual and societal functioning (1). Psychiatric conditions—including mood disorders, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions—are multifactorial in origin and increasingly prevalent worldwide.While pharmacological treatment remains the first-line therapy for psychiatric disorders, behavioral interventions such as psychotherapy have gained prominence, paving the way for complementary approaches to mental well-being (2). Lifestyle-based strategies—particularly dietary interventions—are gaining recognition. This perspective has led to the emergence of “nutritional psychiatry”. This field investigates how nutrition influences brain function and emotional health and seeks to elucidate the biological mechanisms through which dietary components impact mental health outcomes. Key physiological targets include oxidative stress regulation, neuroinflammation, neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, and the gut–microbiome–brain axis, interconnected systems highly responsive to nutritional modulation(3).Within this context, berries (e.g., strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and others) have garnered attention due to their rich polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and bioactive compounds with neuroprotective potential. This opinion article explores the emerging role of berries as functional foods in psychiatric nutrition, highlighting their potential to complement traditional interventions in preventing and managing mental health disorders. Nevertheless, clinical research focused on psychiatric populations remains scarce, particularly in trials involving individuals with diagnosed conditions, underscoring the need for targeted and well-designed studies to understand their therapeutic relevance better.Berries: a functional foodBerry fruits—such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants—are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and diverse bioactive compounds (4). Their primary phytochemicals are phenolic compounds, notably flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, isoflavonoids), tannins, and phenolic acids (5). Certain berry constituents have been linked to reduced mortality and lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as improved cognitive function, neuroinflammation, glucoregulation, cerebrovascular health, neurotransmission, and hippocampal neurogenesis—mechanisms relevant to mental health (6).While berries share common phytochemical categories, their specific profiles—including the type and concentration of bioactive compounds—can differ substantially across species and cultivars. These compositional distinctions may underlie unique biological effects, adding nuance to their potential applications in mental health. As such, future research would benefit from a more differentiated approach that considers berry-specific characteristics when assessing their relevance in psychiatric contexts.Psychiatric disorders involve dysregulation in dopaminergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic pathways, alongside alterations in neurotrophic factors, immune and neuroendocrine systems, and epigenetic mechanisms (7,8). This piece aims to discuss key findings on the potential mechanisms by which berry-derived compounds may influence mental health outcomes (Figure 1).Oxidative stressOxidative stress results from an imbalance between reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production and the body’s ability to neutralize them (9). The brain is especially vulnerable due to its high oxygen demand, abundance of peroxidizable lipids, and limited antioxidant defenses (10). Excess ROS impairs synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and contributes to neuronal degradation (11,12). To counteract oxidative damage, cells rely on enzymatic antioxidants—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR)—and non-enzymatic antioxidants like glutathione (GSH), vitamins A, C, E, and trace elements such as zinc (11,13,14).Although pharmacological strategies exist, antioxidants continue to be explored as adjunctive options for their neuroprotective potential in psychiatric disorders. Berries contain up to four times more antioxidants than other fruits, mainly due to phenolic compounds and vitamin C (5). In psychiatric populations, elevated oxidative stress markers and reduced antioxidant defenses are consistently reported, supporting the rationale for antioxidant-based interventions (15,16).For example, supplementation with 30 g of freeze-dried black raspberries for four weeks enhanced CAT and GPx activity in healthy male smokers, mitigating oxidative stress related to cigarette exposure (17). While informative, such findings do not establish therapeutic relevance in psychiatric populations. Observational studies indicate that individuals with depression often consume fewer antioxidant-rich foods and exhibit lower plasma concentrations of vitamins C and E (18,19). Vitamin C supplementation has shown antidepressant effects and mood enhancement, although such results are not specific to berry intake. In postmenopausal women, antioxidant-rich diets have correlated with reductions in anxiety and oxidative stress markers (20), yet the distinct contribution of berries remains to be clarified.In summary, although berries exhibit strong antioxidant potential, more robust clinical trials are needed to determine whether this biochemical activity translates into meaningful mental health outcomes in individuals with diagnosed psychiatric...