ABSTRACT
Aim To study the antidepressant effects of albiflorin and its relationship with TSPO(translocator protein 18 ku). Methods Mice were divided into eight groups(control group, chronic unpredictable stress group, fluoxetine group, albiflorin low, medium, high dose groups, PK11195 group, PK11195+ albiflorin high dose group)based on the data of the behavioral tests conducted to assess the antidepressant-like effects of albiflorin. After the behavioral tests Western blot and ELISA were conducted to evaluate the TSPO expression, progesterone and allopregnanolone level in hippocampus of mice. Results In the behavioral tests, there were significant differences between the model group and the control group, which indicated that the model was successfully established. The positive drug and albiflorin in different dose groups could reverse the effects of the model group, and PK11195 could reverse the effects of paeoniflorin in high dose group. The results of Western blot and ELISA showed that the TSPO expression, progesterone and allopregnanolone level in the model group significantly decreased. The positive drug and albiflorin groups with different doses could reverse the effects of the model group, and PK11195 could reverse the effects of the high dose group. Conclusions Albiflorin has significant antidepressant and antianxiety effects on CUS mice by TSPO, which provides experimental basis for the further study on the antidepressant effects and mechanism of albiflorin in the future.