• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.61-73
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess anti-depressive effects of Bee Venom(BV) on an Animal Model of Depression induced immobility stress. Methods : There was 2 pre-experiments MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and Western blot test and 3 main experiments ; forced swimming test, tail suspension test and Y-maze task. Male rats were used for main experiment. The subject was divided into 4 groups(1. control group injected only saline, without immobility stress 2. Negative group injected saline after 2 hours immobility stress 3. Positive group injected Amitriptyline after 2 hours immobility stress 4. BV group injected Bee Venom after 2 hours immobility stress). Each group consisted of 6 rats. Forced swimming test, tail suspension test, Y-maze task were used to evaluate anti-depressive effect of Bee Venom. Results : In MTT assay, as the density of BV increased, the existence rate of primary neuronal cell increased. In Western blot test, the density of CREB and AKT was increasing as time went by. In forced swimming test, BV group showed immobility decreased more than Normal group and Positive group. In tail suspension test, Normal group and Positive group showed immobility decreased more than BV group. In Y-maze task, BV group showed immobility decreased more than Normal group, but Positive group showed immobility decreased more than BV group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Bee Venom may have anti-depressive effect on depression.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.191-202
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-depressive effects of BanHaHuBakTang-kami (BHHBT) on an animal model of depression induced by chronic immobility stress. Methods: Mice were treated daily with immobilization stress for 2 hours over a period of 21 days. To examine the effect of BHHBT, we performed behavioral, biochemical and histological analysis to measure immobility time (FST), brain neurotransmitter concentration (HPLC, ELISA), hippocampal damage (H&E staining) and CRF-R1 expression (immunohistochemistry). Results: BHHBT has reduced the immobility time of immobilization stress exposed mice in the forced swimming test. BHHBT has increased the amount of serotonin in the brain. BHHBT has increased the expression level of serotonin in the brain. BHHBT 540 mg/kg were sufficient to prevent tissue damage in the hippocampus region. BHHBT has reduced the expression level of CRF receptors in the hippocampus region. Conclusions: These results suggest that BHHBT may have anti-depressive effects on mice treated with immobilization stress by reducing immobility, increasing brain serotonin concentration and reducing CRF-R1 expression in the hippocampus region.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.191-197
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-depressant effect of Chilbokum on rats under the forced swimming test (FST) Methods : The rats were treated with the herbal extract, Chilbokum. In order to induce depression-like symptoms, the FST was conducted afterwards. The immobility time was measured during a 5-min experimental session. The alterations of the 5-HT level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus and the change of corticosterone level in the blood induced by FST were determined in the rats. Results : The results were as follows: 1. The immobility time during 5 min of FST in the drug administration group showed significant decreases compared with the control group (p<0.05). 2. The FST+Chilbokum group had significantly increased 5-HT levels of the hypothalamus and hippocampus, compared with the control group (p<0.05, respectively). 3. The FST+Chilbokum group had significantly decreased corticosterone levels, compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions : These results demonstrate that the reduced immobility time by Chilbokum may be mediated by the increase in 5-HT level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, suggesting that Chilbokum has a potential therapeutic efficacy for human depression.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.189-193
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Lycium chinense Miller fruit and its representative constituent betaine on reduction of immobility time and blood parameters in balb/c mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the immobility time and the changes in aspects of blood biochemical parameters by the administration of L. chinense Miller fruit and its representative constituent betaine, after the forced swimming test. The immobility time was significantly reduced about 41.3% and 53.6%, respectively, in the animal of L. chinense Miller fruit and its representative constituent betaine-administrated group for 7 days, in comparison with that of the control group. The level of blood urea nitrogen was significantly decreased in L. chinense Miller fruit and its representative constituent betaine-treated group compared with the control group (P < 0.05), respectively. In addition, the interlukin-2 levels of mice in L. chinense Miller fruit and betaine treated group was increased compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that L. chinense Miller fruit and betaine might be helpful in the immune function improvement, enhance physical stamina, and fatigue recovery.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.498-502
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• 2015

Yukmijihwang-tang (YM) is a well-known prescription to treat kidney inflammation on Korea. However, the effects of YM on maximal exercise performance (MEP) is not-well investigated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of YM on MEP using forced swimming test (FST) model. Mice were largely divided into three group; a non-swimming group, saline treated-swimming load test group, and YM treated-swimming load group. Swimming load test groups were re-divided into swimming control group (Control), YM fed group (YM). YM was administrated orally for 2 weeks before FST. After FST, immobility time, oxygen consumption was measured by physiological test, and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. FST induced MEP identified by increased immobility, oxygen consumption, and biochemical factors. Immobility time was significantly reduced by YM treatment compared with control group. Oxygen consumption was also significantly reduced by YM treatment. The increase on lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase after FST was inhibited by YM　treatment. In addition, consumption of energy source (free fatty acid, and triglyceride) and recovery of energy was enhanced by YM treatment after FST. In conclusion, YM inhibited the elevation of immobility time, oxygen consumption, and biochemical factors after FST. YM could be used as a beneficial agents to enhance maximal endurance exercise performance and an effective ergogenic aid in exercise training.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1545-1549
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• 2003

Broiler chickens were subjected to (i) pre-treatment for 24 h with 1,200 ppm L-ascorbic acid in their drinking water on day 42 (AA), (ii) 60% feed restriction on days 4, 5 and 6 (FR), (iii) combination of AA and FR (AAFR), or (iv) neither treatment (control). On day 43, the birds were crated and transported in an open truck for either 60 min or 120 min. Heterophil/lymphocyte ratios (HLR) were determined prior to ($T_0$) and 20 h following the 60 min ($T_60$) and 120 min ($T_120$) journeys. Prior to transportation, all treatment groups had similar HLR. Following $T_60$, the AAFR chicks had smaller increase in HLR than their control, AA and FR counterparts. The AA, FR and AAFR birds exhibited lower HLR than controls following $T_120$. The means HLR of AA, FR and AAFR did not differ significantly. Irrespective of journey time, AA and AAFR birds had shorter tonic immobility duration than their FR and control counterparts. The tonic immobility duration of all birds increased with journey duration.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.447-452
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• 2010

A series of 5-alkoxy-tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinolines were synthesized to evaluate their anticonvulsant and antidepressant effects. Anticonvulsant effects and neurotoxicity of the compounds when injected intraperitoneally to mice were determined by a maximal electroshock (MES) test and a rotarod test, respectively. Only three of the synthesized compounds (4a, 4b, 4c) displayed anticonvulsant activity at a dose of 300 mg/kg. Most of the compounds significantly reduced immobility times during the forced swimming test (FST) at a dose of 100 mg/kg, indicative of antidepressant activity. Among the compounds, 5-(2-fluorobenzyloxy)tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoline (4k) reduced immobility time by 66.85% at 30 mg/kg compared with the same dose of Fluoxetine, which reduced immobility time by 52.30%. According to the results of the 5-Hydroxytryptophan induced head-twitch test and yohimbine toxicity potentiation test, the noradrenergic system seems not to be involved in the antidepressant-like effect of compound 4k while the serotonergic system seems a little to be involved.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate the effect Hypericum Perforatum (HP), on behavioral changes, corticosterone, TNF-${\alpha}$ levels and tryptophan metabolism and disposition in bilateral ovariectomized rats compared to $17{\alpha}$-ethinylestradiol. Behavioral analysis by measuring immobility time in forced swimming test and open field test, serum and hippocampal corticosterone and TNF-${\alpha}$ along with hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio were determined in mature ovariectomized rats treated orally either by HP at three different doses 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day or by $17{\alpha}$-ethinylestradiol $30{\mu}g/kg/day$ for 30 days. Ovariectomized rats showed significant increase in immobility time in the forced swimming test. Along with elevation in serum and hippocampal TNF-${\alpha}$ and corticosterone levels associated with significant increase in hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio. Immobility time in the forced swimming test was decreased in rats treated by different doses of HP in a dose dependent manner and $17{\alpha}$-ethinylestradiol with no concomitant changes in the open field test. Only Rats treated with HP exhibited significant decrease in the elevated serum and hippocampal TNF-${\alpha}$ and corticosterone, which couldn't explain the associated insignificant effect on hippocampaus kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in comparison to ovariectomized untreated rats. It is concluded that increased tryptophan metabolism toward kynurenine secondary to elevated corticosterone and TNF-${\alpha}$ might be one of the pathohphysiological mechanisms that could explain depression like state observed in this rat model. Further, the observed attenuating effect of HP on TNF-${\alpha}$ and corticosterone could contribute in its antidepressant effect in this animal model by other ways than their effects on tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.603-610
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• 2020

Background: Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disease that shows astrocyte pathology. Ginsenoside Rf (G-Rf) is a saponin found in Panax ginseng which has been used to treat neuropsychiatric diseases. We aimed to investigate antidepressant properties of G-Rf when introduced into the L-alphaaminoadipic acid (L-AAA)-infused mice model which is representative of a major depressive disorder that features diminished astrocytes in the brain. Methods: L-AAA was infused into the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice to induce decrease of astrocytes. Mice were orally administered G-Rf (20 mg/kg) as well as vehicle only or imipramine (20 mg/kg) as controls. Depression-like behavior of mice was evaluated using forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). We observed recovery of astroglial impairment and increased proliferative cells in the PFC and its accompanied change in the hippocampus by Western blot and immunohistochemistry to assess the effect of G-Rf. Results: After injection of L-AAA into the PFC, mice showed increased immobility time in FST and TST and loss of astrocytes without significant neuronal change in the PFC. G-Rf-treated mice displayed significantly more decreased immobility time in FST and TST than did vehicle-treated mice, and their immobility time almost recovered to those of the sham mice and imipramine-treated mice. G-Rf upregulated glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and Ki-67 expression in the PFC reduced by L-AAA and also alleviated astroglial change in the hippocampus. Conclusion: G-Rf markedly reversed depression-like behavioral changes and exhibited protective effect against the astrocyte ablation in the PFC induced by L-AAA. These protective properties suggest that G-Rf might be a therapeutic agent for major depressive disorders.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.54-58
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the anti-stress function of Aucklandiae Radix (AR) and Cyperi Rhizoma (CR). The essential oils used in the experiment were extracted from AR and CR using Steam Distillation Extraction and Super critical CO₂ extraction. To observe the effects of sample administration, we measured feed intake, leukocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, serum serotonin content, immobility time, climbing time, and swimming time in mice subjected to chronic restraint stress as behavioral changes. The average body weight of all experimental groups increased than the average body weight of the control group. The immobility and climbing times of experimental groups A and B administered with supercritical extraction samples were shorter than those of the other experimental groups and the control group, and the swimming time was longer. The serotonin content in the blood of all experimental groups decreased compared to the normal group, and the serotonin content of the control group was increased. The authors suggest that Korean herbal medicines AR and CR may be utilized as anti-stress flavoring agents based on the above results.