γ-amino butyric acid-enriched barley bran lowers adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone levels in immobilized stressed rats

This work aims to evaluate the potential effects of -amino butyric acid (GABA)-fortified barley bran against chronic stress induced Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were divided into four groups (n=6), based on diet; control group (C), stress with no treatment (STR+NT), stress plus dietary Panax ginseng at 100 mg/kg (positive control group, STR+PG), and stress plus 0.5% GABA-fortified barley bran (STR+BB-G). After 21 days, stress biomarkers and liver toxicity biomarkers were measured. The stress biomarkers adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone were decreased (p<.05) in the STR+BB-G group compared to the STR+NT group. Similar results were obtained for the liver toxicity biomarkers aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase (p<.05). The high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<.05) were higher in the STR+BB-G group than in the STR+NT group. These results suggest that GABA-fortified barley bran can potentially be used to manage stress and related disorders in rodents. Practical applicationsGABA is a neurotransmitter known for its various medicinal properties, which reduces anxiety, depression, insomnia and they also have antihypertensive and anticancer activity. Therefore, the development of GABA-fortified food is of great interest. This study investigates the anti-stress effects of GABA-fortified barley bran in Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals supplemented with GABA-fortified barley bran exhibited fewer stress effects. This study sheds light on the potential of functional foods and nutraceuticals with enriched cereals for stress management. The results of this study could serve as a foundation for further research on fortified cereals and promote the consumption of fortified cereals on a large scale.