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Indexed by:期刊论文

Date of Publication:2013-12-01

Journal:PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH

Included Journals:SCIE、PubMed、Scopus

Volume:27

Issue:12

Page Number:1829-1833

ISSN No.:0951-418X

Key Words:Acanthopanax senticosus extract; anti-depressant; forced swimming test; tail suspension test; monoamine neurotransmitters; CREB protein

Abstract:In this paper, the anti-depressant effects of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) were studied using animal models of depression including the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. The anti-depressive mechanism of ASE was explored by monitoring the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters including 5-hydroxytrylamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA), as well as cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein expression in the whole brain of mice following the tail suspension test. Our results showed that intragastric administration of ASE at a dose of 2000mg/kg for seven days significantly reduced the duration of immobility in both the forced swimming test and the tail suspension test. These results indicate that ASE possesses antidepressant-like properties. Pre-treatment with 2000mg/kg of ASE for seven days significantly elevated the levels of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the whole brain of mice. Moreover, ASE at doses of 1000 and 2000mg/kg significantly up-regulated the level of CREB protein. Taken together, these findings suggest that the anti-depressive mechanism of ASE may be mediated via the central monoaminergic neurotransmitter system and CREB protein expression. Therefore, administration of ASE may be beneficial for patients with depressive disorders. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.