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The effect of Chaihu-Shugan-San and its components on the expression of ERK5 in the hippocampus of depressed rats.
- Source :
-
Journal of Ethnopharmacology . Mar2014, Vol. 152 Issue 2, p320-326. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) is a well-known, Chinese traditional medicine used to treat depression. Little is known about the antidepressant mechanism of CSS. The main aims of the this study were to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of CSS and its components and further explore the CSS׳s effect upon signal transduction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) expressions in the hippocampus of rats with depression induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress. Materials and methods: SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: Normal; Model; CSS; Component I; Component II; and Fluoxetine. Antidepressant-like effects of CSS and two of its constituents, Components I and II in aqueous extract, were assessed using rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) by measuring weight change, observing the open-field test and measuring sucrose water consumption. Antidepressant mechanism were examined by measuring the effect of CSS, and two of its constituents, on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) expression, phosphorylation-ERK5 (p-ERK5), and ERK5 mRNA in the hippocampus by using western blotting and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Three preparations were prepared: (1) an aqueous extract of CSS (5.9g/kg·d); (2) Component I (3.3g/kg·d); and (3) Component II (2.6g/kg·d). During the 28-day CUMS, the three preparations were intragastrically administered all three preparations. Simultaneously a parallel positive fluoxetine control group was given fluoxetine hydrochloride (1.8mg/kg·d). Normal and Model groups were intragastrically administered with a isovolumic distilled water (4.5ml/kg·d). Results: Depressed rats had decreased weight gain; decreased locomotor activity as measured by the open field test; and reduced sucrose consumption. The rats׳ hippocampus ERK5 activation was significantly suppressed. CSS reduced the incidence of depressive-like behaviors and increased ERK5 activation in depressed rats at the same rate as fluoxetine. Component I, and II, each had only a partial effect on the depression indicators measured. Conclusions: CSS aqueous extract has antidepressant-like effects on CUMS-induced depression model rats. The antidepressant effect of CSS is greater than that of either the two separate components measured. CSS׳s antidepressant mechanism may be mediated by reversing the stress-induced disruption of ERK5 activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *PREVENTION of mental depression
*ENZYME metabolism
*ALTERNATIVE medicine
*ANIMAL experimentation
*ANTIDEPRESSANTS
*BIOPHYSICS
*BODY weight
*CELLULAR signal transduction
*COMPARATIVE studies
*DRINKING (Physiology)
*FLUOXETINE
*HIPPOCAMPUS (Brain)
*HISTOLOGICAL techniques
*RESEARCH methodology
*BOTANIC medicine
*CHINESE medicine
*POLYMERASE chain reaction
*RATS
*SUCROSE
*WESTERN immunoblotting
*WEIGHT gain
*PLANT extracts
*STATISTICAL significance
*REVERSE transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
*DESCRIPTIVE statistics
*PHARMACODYNAMICS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03788741
- Volume :
- 152
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 94698378
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.004