• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.129-146
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative antidepressant and antianxiolytic effects of the 70% ethanol extract of Polygala japonica(EEPJ) using animal's behavioral experiment in mice. Methods : The effect of EEPJ on the anxioty and depressive disorder was investigated via mice's behavioral experiment like Elevated plus-maze, Horizontal wire test, Open field test, Forced swimming test, Tail suspension test, and it was happen via any mechanism by WAY 100635, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist and by Flumazenil, a GABAA antagonist Results : 1. In the EPM, single treatments of the EEPJ(200 and 400mg/kg) had usefully antianxiolytic effects versus vehicle, which was medicated via the serotonergic nervous system. 2. In the HWT, single treatments of the EEPJ were no changes in the myorelaxant effects versus vehicle. 3. In the OFT, single treatments of the EEPJ were no changes in the locomotor activity versus vehicle. 4. In the FST, single treatments of the EEPJ(50mg/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time versus vehicle. 5. In the TST, single treatments of the EEPJ(50mg/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time versus vehicle. Conclusions : These results indicate that EEPJ is an effective antidepressant and antianxiolytic activity in mice, and it might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of depressive disorder through evolutive study like development of various experimental models.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.133-144
• /
• 2010

Object : The effects of Rehmanniae Radix(RR) on HPA Axis system and Catecholaminergic system was investigated. Methods : we performed the Forced Swimming Test(FST). Also the expression of Corticotropin -Releasing Factor(CRF), c-Fos and Tyrosine Hydorxylase(TH) was measured by immunohistochemical method at Paraventricular Nucleus(PVN), Locus Coeruleus(LC) and Ventral Tegmental Area(VTA). Results : 1. The duration of immobility in the Forced Swimming Test was significantly decreased in the Rehmanniae Radix 400 mg/kg groups in comparison with the control group(p<0.05). 2. Comparing to the control group, CRF expression was significantly decreased in the Rehmanniae Radix 400 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.01). 3. c-Fos expression was significantly decreased at PVN in the Rehmanniae Radix 100 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.01). 4. TH expression was significantly increased at LC in the Rehmanniae Radix 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.001). 5. TH expression was significantly decreased at VTA in the Rehmanniae Radix 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg treated group in comparison with the control group(p<0.001). Conclusion : According to the results, it can be considered that Rehmanniae Radix has antidepressant effect by showing the reduction of immobility in FST through the decreased expression of CRF, c-Fos in PVN and TH in VTA.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.6739-6745
• /
• 2014

Acer tegmentosum Maxim (AT) is a species of the maple genus, which is native to North-Eastern China and Korea. Traditionally, AT has been already used for pain relief in Korea. On the other hand, its antidepressant-like activity and related molecular mechanisms is not completely understood. Using the Forced Swimming Test (FST), the effects of a subacute treatment with AT(100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) on the immobility and FST-induced changes to the immune parameters, cortisol, ACTH, and cytokine, in rats were investigated. The tendency of immobility showed a dose-dependent decrease in FST. The levels of cortisol, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ in the peripheral blood were increased significantly after FST exposure. Overall, these results suggest that AT treatment can decrease the immobility time and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the FST, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory effects of AT might be involved in the antidepressant-like effect.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2007

Electroacupuncture(EA) is known to affect various autonomic functions such as blood pressure regulation, immune modulation and the improvement of disorders concerning autonomic functions. The aim of the present study was to establish whether EA has an immune-enhancing effect. ICR mice weighing 20 to 25g were divided into four groups: Group I(n=6), blank; Group II(n=6), control; Group III(Zusanli, n=6), low frequency-EA(10Hz of electrical stimulation), and Group IV(Zusanli, n=6), high frequency-EA (100Hz of electrical stimulation). For this study, we investigated expressions of spleen heat shock protein (HSP)70, HSP90 and secretions of cytokines. A Forced Swimming Test(FST) was performed as a model of activity test in mice. After three days of the FST, 10Hz EA($114.8{\pm}7.27s$) and 100Hz EA($147.5{\pm}1.29s$) immobility time significantly decreased compared with the control group($157.2{\pm}1.48s$). After seven days, 10Hz EA($124{\pm}1s$) and 100Hz EA($141{\pm}4.24s$) also significantly decreased immobility time compared with the control group($168{\pm}7.93s$). 10Hz EA and 100Hz EA increased the expression of HSP70 but did not change that of HSP90. 100Hz EA increased secretions of IL-6 and IL-12 compared with the control group however, 10Hz EA failed to change those of IL-6 and IL-12. The present results suggest that EA may be useful for down-regulated immune diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt has been reported to have several biological properties such as skin hydration and antiinflammation. The purpose of this study was to examine the antidepressive effects of water extract of T. platycarpum (WTP) on an animal model of depression. Methods : In the present study, normal ICR mice (4 weeks) were used, and orally administered with WTP (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Depression-like behavior was monitored the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. The locomotor activity was evaluated to eliminate the false-positive activity in the open field test (OFT). Fluoxetine, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, as a positive control was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg at 30 min before starting the behavioral test. Moreover, we evaluated the effects of WTP on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ cyclic AMP response-element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the hippocampus using Western blot. Results : The administration of WTP (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05, respectively) reduced the immobility time during FST and TST without accompanying changes in locomotor activity by OFT. Furthermore, WTP at dose of 100 mg/kg increased the BDNF expression and the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB in the hippocampus region. Conclusions : These results suggest that WTP has a useful anti-depressant effect through the regulation of BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.256-266
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Magnolia Officinalis extracts on the animal model of depression induced by immobilization stress. Methods : The subjects were divided into 4 groups : normal, saline solution-administered during immobilization stress, 200 mg/kg of magnolia extracts-administered (magnolia extract 200), and 400 mg/kg of magnolia extracts- administered (magnolia extract 400). During 2 days of immobilization stress treatment, they underwent forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). The number of serotonin (5-HT) immunostained nuclei in the dorsal raphe nucleus regions was measured by immunohistochemistry. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in blood were measured. Results : In FST, magnolia-administered groups showed significantly decreased immobilization. In TST, the magnolia extract 400 group showed decreased immobilization. The stress group showed significantly decreased number of 5-HT immunostained nuclei in the dorsal raphe nucleus regions, while magnolia extract 400 group showed increased number of 5-HT immunostained nuclei. Stress group showed decrease in serum level of SOD and GPX, while the magnolia extract 200 group showed increase in serum level of SOD and GPX. Conclusions : These results suggest potent effectiveness of magnolia extracts in the treatment of depression.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.101-119
• /
• 2004

Ginseng Radix Alba and Cyperi Rhizoma were investigated for their anti-depressant effects. For this purpose, forced-swimming test, tail suspension test, hot plate test, reserpine-induced hypothermia, aggressive behavior test were performed. In addition, the brain content of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(a metabolite of serotonin), the monoamine oxidase activity, anticonvulsant effect, sleep enhancement effect were determined. The results are as follows: In the forced swimming test, Ginseng Radix diminished the duration of immobility by 45.5% compared to the control group, while Cyperi Rhizoma showed weaker effect (12.4% reduction) at 2g/kg. In the tail suspension test, the effect of Ginseng Radix(43.7% reduction) are also better than that of Cyperi Rhizoma(15.6% reduction) at 2g/kg. In the hot plate test, Ginseng Radix showed no difference as compared to control, while Cyperi Rhizoma increased the jump latency time by about 25% after administration for 10 days. In the reserpine-induced hypothermia test, both drugs slowly dropped the body temperature compared to the control group, especially the rate of hypothermia of Ginseng Radix was 24.0% at 1g/kg. In the aggressive behavior test, both drugs delayed the onset time, decreased the duration and frequency, of which effects were better in Cyperi Rhizoma. The content of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in mice brain was slightly increased in Ginseng Radix, while Cyperi Rhizoma increased its level almost to the control group. Both drugs inhibited the monoamine oxidase activity in a dose-dependent manner, but the effect(51.2%) of Cyperi Rhizoma was more potent than the effect(11.8%) of Ginseng Radix. In the pentobarbital-induced sleep test, Cyperi Rhizoma exhibited no significant difference against the control group, while Ginseng Radix showed about two-fold enhancement at 2g/kg. The anticonvulsant effect of both drugs delayed the onset time, shortened the duration of convulsion and diminished the lethality, but Ginseng Radix were better than Cyperi Rhizoma.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.45-55
• /
• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Radix Curcumae on the animal model of depression induced immobilization stress. Method : 1) Male rats were used for this experiment. The subject were divided into 4 groups(1. normal 2. saline solution administered during immobilization stress treatment 3. Radix Curcumae of l00mg/kg administered 4. Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg administered). 2) Immobilization stress was treated for 1 hours on day. During 2 days of immobilization stress treatment, they were executed forced swimming test, passive avoidance test, elevated plus maze test. Corticosterone in blood were measured. Results : 1) In EPM test, stress group showed significantly increased anxiety, Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased anxiety. 2) In forced swimming test, Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased immobilization. 3) In passive avoidance test, stress group showed significantly decreased learning execution, Radix Curcumae groups showed significantly increased learning execution. 4) Stress group showed significantly increase in serum level of corticosterone, Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased serum level of corticosterone. Conclusion : These results suggest that Radix Curcumae is effective in the treatment of depression.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.79-83
• /
• 2013

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Lycii Radicis Cortex (LRC) and betaine (BT) on immobility and neurochemical change in the forced swimming test (FST) in the rat. LRC, BT or fluoxentine was administered intraperitoneally to Sprague-Dawley rats three times (1, 5 and 23.5 h) before the FST. To investigate antidepressant-like effect, serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) were examined in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats. LRC (100 mg/kg) and BT (30, 100 mg/kg) significantly decreased the immobility time in the FST. LRC (100 mg/kg) significantly increased both 5-HT and NE levels in the hypothalamus of rats exposed to FST. BT (100 mg/kg) significantly increased 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats. Taken together, these results demonstrated that improvement in the behavioral changes after LRC and BT administration may be mediated by elevation of 5-HT level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, indicating a possible antidepressant-like activity. The present results suggest that the efficacy of LRC and BT in an animal model of depression may provide anti-depressant effects in human, which remains to be determined.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.61-78
• /
• 2003

Objective : This study was designed to assess the protective effects of Chengwhabosimtang on the animal model of depression, chronic mild stress(CMS). Method : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this experiment. The subjects were divided into 3 groups ( 1. CMS-drug: Chengwhabosimtang administered during CMS treatment, 2. CMS-vehicle: water administered, 3. normal ). After 4 weeks of CMS treatment, they were executed Forced swimming test(FST) and Elevated plus maze. Tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in ventral tegmental area(VTA) and c-Fos in paraventricular nucleus(PVN) were measured. Result : 1. In FST, CMS-drug group showed significantly decreased immobility behavior. 2. CMS-drug group showed no significantly lower TH level in VTA than CMS-vehicle group. 3. CMS-drug group showed significantly less c-Fos expressed cell bodies in PVN than CMS-vehicle group. 4. In Elevated plus maze, CMS-drug group showed no significantly anxiety. Conclusion : These results suggest that Chengwhabosimtang may have protective antidepressant effects in CMS model rats. And these effects could be explained by the elevated stress-copying behaviors which are related with PVN of hypothalamus and dopaminergic neurons in VTA.