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. 2013:2013:309262.
doi: 10.1155/2013/309262. Epub 2013 Dec 3.

Xiangshao Granule Exerts Antidepressive Effects in a Depression Mouse Model by Ameliorating Deficits in Hippocampal BDNF and TrkB

Yi Chen  1 , Jie Liu  1 , Xiaoting Wu  1 , Edouard Collins Nice  2
Affiliations

Xiangshao Granule Exerts Antidepressive Effects in a Depression Mouse Model by Ameliorating Deficits in Hippocampal BDNF and TrkB

Yi Chen et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013.

Abstract

This study explores the therapeutic effects of Xiangshao granules in a mouse depression model and examines the potential molecular mechanisms involved. After 21 consecutive days of chronic stress challenge, all mice were divided into three groups: control group, depression group, and Xiangshao granule treatment group. On the 22nd day, rats in the Xiangshao granule treatment group received Xiangshao granules via gastrogavage for 3 consecutive weeks. Depression group mice showed a significant reduction of crossings (P < 0.01) but not rearings (P < 0.05). Serum CRH, CORT, and ACTH levels were significantly increased in depression mice compared with control (P < 0.05) and the expression levels of hippocampal BDNF and TrkB were reduced in the model group (P < 0.05). However, Xiangshao granule treatment remarkably rescued the decrease in the body weight (P < 0.05), increased crossings in the open field test (P < 0.05), upregulated the expression of hippocampal BDNF and TrkB expression, and reduced the serum CRH, CORT, and ACTH concentrations compared with the depression group (P < 0.05). Collectively, these results demonstrated that Xiangshao granule could effectively induce antidepressive effects in the depression mouse model by ameliorating the expression of hippocampal BDNF and TrkB.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic of the animal studies displaying the three animal groups and their program and regimen in terms of stress periods and treatments.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The effect of Xiangshao granule on mice body weight for control mice, mice following chronic stress challenge (depression model), and depressed mice treated with Xiangshao granules.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The effect of Xiangshao granules on locomotor activity of mice in the open field test. Groups analysed were as in Figure 1. as not significant, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The serum levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT for mice in the groups shown in Figure 1. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Western blot analysis showing the effects of Xiangshao granule treatment on hippocampal BDNF and TrkB protein expression in mice from the groups indicated. β-Actin serves as internal control.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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