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Stillen has been used to treat patients with gastric mucosal ulcers and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is well-known that neuro-inflammatory reactions are related to depression. Here we evaluated the antidepressant-like effect of Stillen on mice subjected to the forced swimming test (FST). Stillen and eupatilin (a major component of Stillen) significantly decreased immobility times compared with the FST control group. In the Stillen-administered group, increased levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein were observed in the hippocampus. Nissl bodies also increased in the hippocampus neuronal cytoplasm of the Stillen-administered group. Stillen decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (at the mRNA and protein levels) in the hippocampus and serum, compared with the control group. In addition, the mRNA expression of estrogen receptor-β increased after Stillen administration in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that Stillen should be viewed as a candidate antidepressant.

Integrins consist of transmembrane glycoproteins noncovalently associated to form alphabeta heterodimers. Various alpha/beta associations determine binding specieficities for cell surface molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily as well as for extracellular matrix components. Through their cytoplasmic domains, integrins are responsible for the transmission of signals between the intracellular and the extracellular environment. We immobilized an integrin alpha5beta1 microarray on a ProteoChip to screen Korean medicinal plant extracts for binding activity. The microarray preserved the integrin alpha5beta1-fibronectin interaction, and was suppressed by the synthetic RGD peptide. We identified ten extracts with high integrin affinity using a high-throughput, competitive inhibition assay. We also demonstrate the biological function of these extracts in HUVECs.