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. 2017 Jan 13;14(2):33-46.
doi: 10.21010/ajtcam.v14i2.5. eCollection 2017.

JIEYUANSHEN DECOCTION EXERTS ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS ON DEPRESSIVE RAT MODEL VIA REGULATING HPA AXIS AND THE LEVEL OF AMINO ACIDS NEUROTRANSMITTER

Zhang Qiuxia  1 , Ma Xinlong  2 , Yang Yilong  1 , Zhao Hui  1 , Wang Yali  1 , Yao Xiaoquan  1 , Wang Lei  1 , Chang Jiahui  1 , Zou Haiyan  1
Affiliations

JIEYUANSHEN DECOCTION EXERTS ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS ON DEPRESSIVE RAT MODEL VIA REGULATING HPA AXIS AND THE LEVEL OF AMINO ACIDS NEUROTRANSMITTER

Zhang Qiuxia et al. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. .

Abstract

Background: Jieyuanshen decoction (JYAS-D) - a traditional Chinese medicine was invented by Professor Nie based on classic formulas, chaihu jia longgu muli decoction has been proved as having favorable curative effects on depression in clinical practices. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant effects and its molecular mechanism of JYAS-D.

Materials and methods: The model of depression was established by Chronic Unpredictable Stress. Different doses (8.2 g/kg, 16.3 g/kg, 32.7 g/kg) of JYAS-D was orally administered; Fluoxetine was orally administered with 10mg/kg. All treatments lasted for 28 days. Sucrose preference and open-field tests were adopted to observe the behavior of rats. OPA (ortho-phthalaldehyde) derivatization method was used to detect the contents of amino acid neurotransmitter. RIA (Radiation immunity analysis) method was used to measure the serum concentrations of CORT (Corticosterone), ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) and CRH (Corticotropin-releasing hormone). ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) method was adopted to examine the contents of Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in hippocampus.

Results: Compared with the model group, sucrose preference was increased in all treatment groups. The concentration of serum CORT was reduced in the middle dose of JYAS-D and control groups; the concentration of serum ACTH was reduced in the low and high-dose of JYAS-D; the concentration of serum CRH was reduced in the middle and high-dose of JYAS-D. The content of hippocampus GR was increased in the middle and high-dose of JYAS-D; the content of hippocampus Glu (Glutamic acid) was reduced among the low, middle and high-dose of JYAS-D and fluoxetine group, the ratio of Glu/γ-GABA (y-aminobutyric acid was reduced in the low and high-dose of JYAS-D.

Conclusion: JYAS-D had a significant antidepressant-like effect on rat model through regulating serum concentration of CORT, ACTH and CRH, increasing the content of hippocampus GR and regulating the equilibrium of amino acids neurotransmitter.

Keywords: Amino acid neurotransmitter; Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS); Glucocorticoid/Mineralocorticoid receptor (G/MR); Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; Jieyuanshen decoction(JYAS-D).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The chemical structures of spinosin (a), baicalin (b) and wogonosidein (c).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The HPLC chromatograms at 277 nm of the reference substance (upper) and the extract of JYAS-D (under).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The HPLC chromatograms at 335 nm of the reference substance (upper) and the extract of JYAS-D (under).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of JYAS-D on body weight (a) and Sucrose preference of rats with CUS (b).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effects of JYAS-D on open-field test of rats with CUS. A series of the behavior changes in rats were observed by the open field test and the following parameters were measured: central distance / total distance, edge distance / total distance, central active time and edge active time. Data are expressed as mean ±SD, n = 6 per group. Δp< 0.05 versus normal, *p< 0.05versus model.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effects of JYAS-D on serum CRH, ACTH, CORT and hippocampus GR,MR,Glu,γ-GABA,Glu/γ-GABA in depressive rats. Data are expressed as mean ± SD, n= 6 per group. Δp< 0.05 versus normal, *p< 0.05 versus model. ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone; CORT: corticosterone; CRH: corticotropin-releasing hormone; GR: Glucocorticoid receptor; MR: Mineralocorticoid receptor; Glu: Glutamic acid; γ-GABA: γ-aminobutyricacid.
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