• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.61-67
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• 2010

Objectives : For the purpose of verifying the anti-depressant effect of Paeoniae Radix Rubra(PR), the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF), c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) was evaluated after performing the Forced Swimming Test(FST). Methods : Spraque-Dawley rats were ingested PR extract(100mg/kg, 400mg/kg, p.o.) for 3 times prior to FST. And the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF), c-Fos in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the locus coelureus(LC) and ventral tegmental area(VTA) was measured immunohistochemically after FST. Results : The duration of immobility was significantly decreased in PR 100mg/kg Group and PR 400mg/kg Group, in comparison with the control group (p<0.001). The expression of CRF in the PVN was significantly decreased in PR 400mg/kg Group in comparison of the control group (p<0.05). The expression of c-Fos in the PVN was rather significantly increased in PR 100mg/kg Group in comparison with the control group, while almost no change was demonstrated in PR 400mg/kg Group. The expression of TH was significantly decreased in VTA in comparison with the control group (p<0.05), but the number of expression cells in LC was slightly decreased in case of PR 100mg/kg group while it was increased in case of PR 400mg/kg Group. Conclusion : Judging from the result of the aforementioned tests, Paeoniae Radix Rubra has decreased immobility. In addition, it has also decreased the expression of CRF and the expression of TH in VTA, while the expression of c-Fos and of TH in LC has no significance. Therefore, it is believed that Paeoniae Radix Rubra has an anti-depressant effect by decreased immobility through the reduced expression of CRF and TH in VTA.

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

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

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 2008

The forced swim test (FST) is the most widely used model for assessing potential antidepressant activity. Although it has been shown that lateral septum is involved with the FST-related behavior, it is not clear whether antidepressant treatments could alter the FST-induced gene expression profile in the lateral septum. In the present study, the gene expression profiles in response to FST and reboxetine pretreatment were observed in the lateral septum of rats. Reboxetine is known as a most selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. In addition, we compared the changes in gene expression profile between reboxetine response and nonresponse groups, which were determined by counting FST-related behavior. After FST, lateral septum from controls and reboxetine pretreated group were dissected and gene expression profiles were assessed using an Affymetrix microarray system containing 15,923 genes. Various genes with different functions were changed in reboxetine response group compared with reboxetine nonresponse group, In particular, pleiotrophin, orexin receptor 2, serotonin 2A receptor, neuropeptide Y5 receptor and thyroid hormone receptor $\beta$ were decreased in reboxetine response group, but Lim motif-containing protein kinase 1 (Limk1) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) were increased. Although further studies are required for direct roles of these genes in reboxetine response, the microarray may provide tools to find out potential target genes and signaling pathways in antidepressant response.

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

• CELLMED
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.20.1-20.6
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• 2017

Inflammation has been linked to various diseases. Especially, fatigue is a frequent symptom in several inflammatory disorders. Therefore, blocking inflammatory process is effective in fatigue. We investigated whether Denmark porcine placenta (DPP) alleviates fatigue by inhibiting inflammatory reaction using forced swimming test (FST) animal model and RAW264.7 cells. In FST-induced fatigue animal model, the mice which received the DPP for 21 days showed decreases of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 serum levels. Furthermore, our data revealed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ secretion were markedly inhibited by DPP in RAW264.7 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. LPS-enhanced nitric oxide secretion and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were inhibited by DPP. The present study also figured out that these effects of DPP were mediated by blockade of caspase-1 and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ activation. Taken together, our results indicated that DPP could be alleviating fatigue as candidate of anti-inflammatory agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-93
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• 2004

Depression is a sort of mental disorder which is very common. To treat depression, many drugs such as TCA, MAOI are developed and used. But they have a lot of side effects, so it needs to develop drugs without side effects or with less side effects. Herbal medicines have been used to treat diseases not only physical but also mental and have less side effects. therefore, it has been thoght the need to develop herbal medicine with antidepressant effect. The purpose of this study was to reseach antidepressant effect and influence on monoamines of chunwangboshimdan thought to have antidepressant according to ancient medical book- donguibogam- and recent reports. We used 'forced swimming test(FST)' to know antidepressant effect of chunwangboshimdan and HPLC to check the influence on monoamines and their metabolites(norepinephrine, dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, serotonin, 5-HIAA) of chunwangboshimdan after divided into cerebral cortex, striatum, hypothalamus and hippocampus. The results were obtained as follows: In the study of antidepressant effect by 'forced swimming test(FST)'method, chunwang boshimdan had a significant antidepressant effect. In the study of influence on monoamines by HPLC, chunwangboshimdan mainly increased dopamine among monoamines and their metabolites(norepinephrine, dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, serotonin, 5-HIAA) significantly in 4 parts of rat's brain above-mentioned. Calculated by turnover ratio formulae of monoamine, chunwangboshimdan has more results than Imipramine. These results suggest that chunwangboshimdan has antidepressant effect that is related with the increase of monoamines by suppressing their metabolism as its mechanism.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.161-174
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• 2011

Objectives : The effects of Extraction after Mixture of Bupleuri Radix and Lycii Radicis Cortex on the change of the HPA-Axis system and the Catecholamic system was investigated. Methods : After performing the Forced Swimming Test(FST), the expressions of corticotropin releasing factor(CRF), c-Fos in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN), and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the ventral tegmental area(VTA) and locus coeruleus(LC) were measured by immunohistochemical method. Results : The duration of immobility in FST was significantly decreased in A 100(Extraction after Mixture of Bupleuri Radix and Lycii Radicis Cortex, 100mg/kg) and A 400(Extraction after Mixture of Bupleuri Radix and Lycii Radicis Cortex, 400mg/kg)(p<0.001). The expression of CRF in the PVN was shown the tendency to reduce in A100 and A400. The expression of c-Fos in the PVN was shown the tendency to reduce in A100 and A400. The expression of TH in the VTA was shown the tendency to reduce mildly in A100 and A400. The expression of TH in the LC was significantly reduced in A400(p<0.001). And the dose dependent reduction tendency was shown, respectively. Conclusions : According to the results above mentioned, the immobility, c-Fos and CRF expression was reduced at lower dose and was increased at higher dose. Therefore there is contradictory effects on the HPA Axis system in accordance with the dose. But in the effects on the catecholaminergic system, it significantly reduced the expression of TH in the LC. It was validated that the effect on the catecholaminergic system was ruled by Bupleuri Radix rather than Lycii Radicis Cortex via mainly the noradernergic system.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.126-140
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• 2006

Purpose: Contrary to the human study, it has rarely investigated metabolic alterations in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of depressed rats versus age and sex-matched controls using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Thus, the purpose of this research was to verify the feasibility of metabolic differences between the normal rat and the depression model rat. Materials and Methods: A homogeneous group of 20 SD male rats was used for MRI and in vivo 1H MRS. To induce a depressed status in SD rats, we performed the forced swimming test (FST). Using image-guide, water suppressed in vivo 1H MRS with 4.7 T MRI/MRS system, NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were mainly measured between depressed rats and normal subjects. Results: In depressed rats, increased Cho/Cr ratio was measured versus control subjects. However, no significant group effect for NAA/Cr was observed between case-control pairs. Discussion and Conclusions: The present 1H MRS study shows significant brain metabolic alterations of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with experimental depressed status of SD rat induced by FST compared to normal subjects. This result provides new evidence that in vivo 1 H MRS may be a useful modality for detecting localized functional neurochemical markers alterations in left DLPFC in SD rats.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.29-37
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• 2009

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the antidepressive effect of Bupleuri Radix (BR). Methods : The forced swimming test (FST) was performed. Also the expression of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was measured immunohistochemically at paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and locus coeruleus (LC). Concentration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was measured in plasma by ELISA method. Results : The immobility in BR400 Group was significantly decreased in comparison with the control group (p