Inhalation of Cananga odorata essential oil relieves anxiety behaviors in autism-like rats via regulation of serotonin and dopamine metabolism / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms associated with autistic spectrum disorder. The essential oil of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson, usually known as ylang-ylang oil (YYO), is often used in aromatherapy as a mood-regulating agent, sedative, or hypotensive agent. In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of YYO in alleviating anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors in autism-like rats were investigated.@*METHODS@#The prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model was used to induce autism-like behaviors in offspring rats. The effectiveness of prenatal sodium valproate treatment (600 mg/kg) on offspring was shown by postnatal growth observation, and negative geotaxis, olfactory discrimination and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Then three treatment groups were formed with varying exposure to atomized YYO to explore the effects of YYO on the anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors of the autistic-like offspring through the elevated plus-maze test, three-chamber social test, and MWM test. Finally, the monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine and their metabolites, in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the rats were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography.@*RESULTS@#Offspring of VPA exposure rats showed autism-like behaviors. In the VPA offspring, medium-dose YYO exposure significantly elevated the time and entries into the open arms in the elevated plus-maze test, while low-dose YYO exposure significantly enhanced the social interaction time with the stranger rat in session 1 of the three-chamber social test. VPA offspring treated with YYO exposure used less time to reach the platform in the navigation test of the MWM test. YYO exposure significantly elevated the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine in the PFC of VPA offspring.@*CONCLUSION@#YYO exposure showed the effects in alleviating anxiety and improving cognitive and social abilities in the offspring of VPA exposure rats. The role of YYO was related to the regulation of the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine. Please cite this article as: Zhang N, Wang ST, Yao L. Inhalation of Cananga odorata essential oil relieves anxiety behaviors in autism-like rats via regulation of serotonin and dopamine metabolism. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 205-214.

Yixin Ningshen Tablet Alleviates Comorbidity of Myocardial Infarction and Depression by Enhancing Myocardial Energy Metabolism and Increasing Availability of Monoamine Neurotransmitter / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the therapeutic effect of Yixin Ningshen Tablet (YXNS) on comorbidity of myocardial infarction (MI) and depression in rats and explore the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#The Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups with 7 rats in each group according to their weights, including control, model, fluoxetine (FLXT, 10 mg/kg), low-dose YXNS (LYXNS, 100 mg/kg), and high-dose YXNS (HYXNS, 300 mg/kg) groups. All rats were pretreated with corresponding drugs for 12 weeks. The rat model of MI and depression was constructed by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery and chronic mild stress stimulation. The echocardiography, sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swim test were performed. Myocardial infarction (MI) area and myocardial apoptosis was also detected. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT), and norepinephrine (NE) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The proteins of adenosine 5'-monophosphate -activated protein kinase (AMPK), p-AMPK, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), and nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) in heart were detected by Western blot analysis. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1), kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), and kynureninase (KYNU) in hippocampus were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, the cardiac function of rats treated with YXNS improved significantly (P<0.01). Meanwhile, YXNS effectively reduced MI size and cardiomyocytes apoptosis of rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05), promoted AMPK phosphorylation, and increased PGC-1α protein expression (P<0.01 or P<0.05). HYXNS significantly increased locomotor activity of rats, decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, and increased the serum levels of 5-HT, NE, ACTH, and CORT (all P<0.05). Moreover, HYXNS decreased the mRNA expressions of IDO1, KMO and KYNU (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#YXNS can relieve MI by enhancing myocardial energy metabolism. Meanwhile, YXNS can alleviate depression by resisting inflammation and increasing availability of monoamine neurotransmitters. It may be used as a potential drug to treat comorbidity of MI and depression.

Screening of effective anti-depressant part from Coreopsis tinctoria and study on its mechanism / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To screen the effective anti-depressant part from Coreopsis tinctoria and study its mechanism. METHODS The anti-depressant effects of 30％，50％，70％ and 90％ ethanol elution fractions from 75％ ethanol extract of C. tinctoria（CCTE）were investigated by tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Mice head-drop test ，reserpine antagonistic test，yohimbine toxicity enhancement test and in vitro monoamine oxidase （MAO） inhibition test were used to explore the mechanism of the relationship between the effective parts and 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and norepinephrine （NE） nerves. RESULTS The 50％ and 70％CCTE could significantly shorten the accumulative immobility time in tail suspension test and forced swimming test （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），increase the number of head-shaking times （P＜0.01），reverse the eyelid ptosis ， hypothermia and immobility caused by hematopin （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），and increase the number of dead mice caused by yohimbine toxicity （P＜0.01）. IC 50 of okanin （CCT-6），isookanin（CCT-7）and taxifolin （CCT-8）against MAO were 8.71，37.89 and 67.07 µmol/L，respectively. CONCLUSIONS The 50％ and 70％CCTE are the effective anti-depressant parts of C. tinctoria . Its anti-depressant effect may be related to the reinforcement of 5-HT and the activation of NE nerves. The inhibition of CCT- 6， CCT-7 and CCT- 8 against MAO may be one of the anti-depressant mechanism of C. tinctoria .

Clinical Efficacy on Shugan Bushen Huoxue Decoction in Treating Perimenopausal Perio Syndrome (Kidney Deficiency and Liver Depression and Blood Stasis Syndrome) / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Shugan Bushen Huoxue decoction in the treatment of perimenopausal perio syndrome （PPS） with kidney deficiency， liver depression and blood stasis syndrome. Method:One hundred and twelve patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group according to random number table. Both groups took Remifemin orally， 1 tablet/time， by swallowing in the morning and evening. The patients in control group additionally took Fuke Yangrong capsules， 4 capsules/time， 3 times/day. The patients in observation group additionally took Shugan Bushen Huoxue decoction， 1 dose/day. The course of treatment was 12 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment， scores were graded for modified Kupperman index （KI）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， menopausal quality of life scale （MENQOL）， self-rating depression scale （SDS） and self-rating anxiety scale （SAS）. Follicle stimulating hormone （FSH），luteinizing hormone （LH），serum estrogen （E₂）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， norepinephrine （NE）， 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid （5-HIAA）， endothelin （ET）， and nitric oxide （NO） levels were detected before and after therapy. Result:In the observation group， scores of KI， TCM syndrome， SDS and SAS were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. All dimensions of MENQOL scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. FSH and LH levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group， and the E₂ level was higher than that of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The levels of 5-HT， 5-HIAA， DA and NE in the observation group were higher than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The ET level in the observation group was lower than that in the control group， and the NO level was higher than that of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. In observation group，the clinical efficacy was superior to that in control group （<italic>Z</italic>=2.073<italic>，P</italic><0.05）， and the efficacy of TCM syndromes was also superior to that in control group （<italic>Z</italic>=2.086<italic>，P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:Shugan Bushen Huoxue decoction in the treatment of PPS in patients with kidney deficiency and liver depression and blood stasis can significantly reduce clinical symptoms， depression and anxiety， regulate the sex hormones， vasomotor factors and monoamine neurotransmitters levels， and improve the quality of life， with obvious clinical efficacy and high safety， so it is worthy of clinical use.

Shengyutang Improves Learning and Memory Ability of Sleep Deprived Mice by Regulating Levels of Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Hippocampus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Shengyutang on the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus， and explore its possible mechanism on improving the learning and memory abilities of sleep deprivation （SD） mice. Method:The 50 mice were divided into normal group， model group， estazolam group， Shengyutang low and high dose groups， with 10 mice in each group. A multi-platform water environment was used to prepare SD mouse models. The low and high-dose Shengyutang groups received intragastric administration of 12.5， 25 g·kg^-1， respectively. The mice in the model group were intragastrically administered with the same dose of normal saline daily for 8 weeks. Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the behavioral changes of SD mice in the evasion latency period， the number of crossing platforms， and the stay time in the target quadrant of each group. HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphological changes of the hippocampal tissue of each group. The expression levels of eight monoamine neurotransmitters including serotonin （5-HT），dopandne （DA），epinephrine （EP），norepinephrine （NE），5-hydroxyindole acetic acid（5-HIAA）， high vanillic acid （HVA）， levodopa（<italic>L</italic>-DOPA），and 3，4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid（DOPAC）were detected by high performance liquid chromatography， and the expression levels of c-Fos protein in hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry. Result:Compared with the normal group， the SD mice in the model group were in a poorer general state and severe fatigue was observed. Compared with the model group， SD mice in each dose group of Shengyutang got improved in eating， activity， sleep， hair color， and response to external stimuli. Compared with the normal group， the body weight of SD mice in the model group was significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， but the body weight in the Shengyutang high-dose group increased the most as compared with the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with the normal group， the hippocampal cells in the model group were disorderly arranged， incomplete in shape， increased in gap and decreased in number. Compared with the model group， the number of neurons in the hippocampus of SD mice in each dose group of Shengyutang increased. Compared with the normal group， the escape latency time of SD mice in the model group was significantly prolonged， the times of crossing platform and the residence time in the target quadrant significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the times of crossing platform and the residence time in the target quadrant of mice in each dose group of Shengyutang significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the levels of 5-HT， 5-HIAA， <italic>L</italic>-DOPA， DOPAC， EP， NE， HVA and DA in the model group significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic> P</italic><0.01）； but these levels in each dose group of Shengyutang were higher than those in model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with the normal group， the average MD value of c-Fos protein in the hippocampus of the model group significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the expression levels of c-Fos protein in the hippocampus of Shengyutang groups were significantly lower than those in model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Shengyutang can improve the learning and memory abilities of SD rats， and its mechanism may be related to the decrease of monoamine neurotransmitter and c-Fos protein expression.

Clinical effect and mechanism of / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of @*METHODS@#A total of 60 children with intellectual disability were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the control group, rehabilitation training and routine acupuncture were adopted, 30 min each time, once a day, 6 times a week for 3 months. On the base of the treatment as the control group, @*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the scores of DQ and ADL and the serum levels of DA, NE, 5-HT after treatment were increased (@*CONCLUSION@#On the base of rehabilitation training and routine acupuncture,

Effect of Shugan Jieyu Capsules Combined with Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Neuroendocrine Function During Perimenopause / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To discuss the clinical effect of Shugan Jieyu capsules combined with repetitivetranscranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on depression during perimenopause and neuroendocrine function. Method: One hundred and thirty-two patients were divided into control groupand observation groupby random number table. Patients (65 cases) in observation group got sertraline hydrochloride tablets, 50 mg/time, 2 times/days. Patients (67 cases) in control group got Shugan Jieyu capsules after breakfast and dinner, 2 grains/time, and treatment of rTMS, 20 minutes/time, 1 time/day. And one course of treatment was 5 days, there were a 2-day interval between two courses. And there were a total of 4 courses in the two groups. Both groups were continuously treated for8 weeks. Degree of depression was evaluated by Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17). Before and after treatment, scores of Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), quality index of sleep in Pittsburgh (PSQI), Kupperman and syndrome of kidney deficiency and stagnation of liver were graded. Levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), 5-serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxyindolyl acetic acid (5-HIAA) were detected, and the safety was evaluated. Result: According to the variance analysis of repeated measurements, after treatment, score of HAMD-17 decreased (Pth day after treatment, score of HAMD-17of observation groupwas lower than that in control group (PPχ2=6.405, Pχ2=5.304, PPConclusion: Shugan Jieyu capsules combined with repetitivetranscranial magnetic stimulation can ameliorate symptoms of depression and anxiety, havea bettereffect than Sertraline hydrochloride tablets, and can regulate levels of sex hormone and monoamine neurotransmitter.

Effects of 1,2-dichloroethane subacute exposure on depressive behavior and monoamine neurotransmitter level in rats / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 1,2-dichloroethane(1,2-DCE) subacute exposure on depression in rats as well as the relevant mechanism of monoamine neurotransmitters. METHODS: The specific pathogen free male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in these 4 groups were intra-gastrically administered with 1,2-DCE(diluted in corn oil) at the dose of 0, 20, 40, 80 mg/kg body weight, every other day for 14 times. After exposure, the behavior change of rats was observed by open-field test, sucrose preference test and forced swim test. The levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters including 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), noradrenaline(NA) and dopamine(DA) in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of rats were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection method. RESULTS: The number of rearing, time and distance of central area, sucrose preference index of mice in medium and high dose groups were decreased(P<0.05), while immobility time of forced swim test was increased(P<0.05) when compared with the mice in control group. The levels of 5-HT, NA and DA in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum decreased with the increase of 1,2-DCE exposure(P<0.05), showing a dose-effect relationship. The levels of 5-HT, NA and DA in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum in the high-dose group were lower than that of control group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The subacute exposure of 1,2-DCE can induce depression-like behavior in rats. The mechanism might be related to the reduction of monoamine neurotransmitters in striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Research of berberine in treatment of depression / 药学学报

Depression is a common mental disorder. It is estimated that by 2020, the global incidence of depression will be about 20%, which will bring huge economic burden to society. The pathogenesis of depression is complicated, the diagnostic method is not objective, and the cure rate is low. Antidepressants are often associated with adverse reactions during treatment, and patient compliance is poor. Therefore, a single component with antidepressant effects in natural medicines or a compound Chinese medicine gradually shows an advantage in the treatment of depression. Berberine (C20H18NO4) is one of the main components of traditional Chinese medicine Coptis. In recent years, a large amount of evidence indicates that berberine has a good antidepressant effect on different animal models of depression, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of monoamines and metabolism, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation in the brain. This article describes the antidepressant effect and mechanism of berberine, and provides a basis for further exploration and research on the antidepressant effect of berberine.

Study on model of tree shrew induced by chronic corticosterone injection in anxious depression / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of chronic corticos-terone injection on anxiety and depression-like behavior of tree shrews, evaluate the predictability of drug and establish a novel animal model of anxious depression .Methods Twelve Chinese and Burma tree shrews were randomly divided into normal group, model group and venlafaxine group .The anxious depres-sion model of tree shrew was established by chronic corticoster-one injection ( ih, 27 mg· kg-1 , 21 d) .The venlafaxine group received intragastric administration (6 mg· kg-1).Autonomous activity score, sugar water preference test and Morris water maze test were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression-like behav-ior of tree shrews .The expressions of CRH , ACTH and COR in the tree shrew plasma were determined by Elisa kit .The con-tents of monoamine neurotransmitters of tree shrews in the hippo-campus , amygdala and prefrontal cortex were detected by HPLC-ECD.Results Compared with the normal group , the autono-mous activity score , sugar water partial eclipse degree and the learning and memory ability significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the contents of CRH , ACTH and COR significantly in-creased ( P<0.05) , and the contents of 5-HT, NE and DA in the hippocampus , amygdala and prefrontal cortex declined in the model group(P<0.05).In the venlafaxine group, the learning and memory abilities of the tree shrews were improved , the lev-els of CRH and COR in plasma were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the contents of 5-HT, NE and DA were increased (P<0.05).Conclusions The tree shrews of anxious depres-sion have obvious HPA axis hyperactivity and monoamine neuro-transmitter disorder , and venlafaxine can reverse this phenome-non, indicating that the tree shrews model of anxious depression has drug predictability , which is a kind of novel animal model of anxious depression closer to human in clinic .

Effects of Wendan decoction on depression-like behavior and cerebral monoamine neurotransmitters in a rat model of Parkinson's disease / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To observe the effects of Wendan decoction (WD) on depression-like behavior in a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) and explore the related mechanism.Methods Rodent model of PD was established by unilaterally lesioning medial forebrain bundle with 6-hydrodopamine.After intragastric administration with WD,the rats's behavior changes were detected by the open field test,sucrose preference test and forced swimming test;the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters in the rat brain were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.Results Compared with those of sham-operated rats,the horizontal and vertical activities of the PD model rats decreased significantly,and sucrose consumption decreased significantly,but immobility time during forced swimming was significantly prolonged.The contents of dopamine (DA),5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and DA in the striatum decreased significantly.After administration of WD for 2 weeks,the immobility time of the PD model rats was significantly decreased,sucrose consumption increased significantly;DA,5-HT and NA levels in the mPFC increased significantly.Conclusion WD improves the depression-like behavior in PD model rats,and the mechanisms may involve the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters in mPFC.

Effects of Qibai Pingfei Capsules on Up-regulating Expression of 5-HT1AR mRNA, DA-1 and DA-5 in Hippocampus of Rat Model with COPD Accompanied with Depression / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the effects of Qibai Pingfei Capsules(QPC) on the expression of monoamine neurotransmitters of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor(5-HT) and dopamine(DA) receptors of DA1 and DA5 in the rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) accompanied with depression, and to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism. Methods Ninety male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely normal group, COPD depression group, QPC group, Venlafaxine group, and QPC plus Venlafaxine group. The rat model of COPD accompanied with depression was established by compound methods of smoking, food deprivation, water deprivation, forced swimming, shaking, and clipping tail. And then the effects of QPC on the lung function and the general characteristics were observed. Furthermore, the mRNA level of 5-HT1AR was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR), and protein levels of DA-1 and DA-5 in rat hippocampus were assayed by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the normal group, forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second(FEV0.3), the forced volume capacity(FVC) and FEV0.3/ FVC in the COPD depression group were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Compared with the COPD depression group, the values mentioned above were restored to different extents in the groups of QPC, Venlafaxine, and QPC plus Venlafaxine(P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of 5-HT1AR mRNA, and DA-1 and DA-5 protein in the COPD depression group were significantly down-regulated, and their levels were also slightly decreased in the treatment groups(P<0.05). Compared with the COPD depression group, the expression levels were up-regulated to various degrees in all of the treatment groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion QPC can increase the mRNA levels of 5-HT1AR and protein levels of DA-1 and DA-5 in the hippocampus of COPD with depression.

Inhibitory effect of baicalein on mice tremor induced by oxotremorine and mechanisms / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti- tremor effect and mechanism of baicalein on oxotremorine- induced muscle tremor in mice. METHODS The acute model of muscular tremor was induced by intraperitoneal injection of oxotremorine, and the latency, duration and frequency of muscle tremor in mice were measured immediately; the saliva of mice was measured to reflect the correlation between tremor and peripheral nerve function; the aim of this study was to determine the content of MDA and the activity of GSH-PX, and to investigate the anti-oxidation of mice with tremor model. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and acetylcholine transferase (ChAT) can indirectly reflect the level of acetylcholine in the brain. The level of monoamine neurotransmitters in brain tissue was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-ECD). RESULTS The animals in the model group appeared obvious tremoring, salivating and erecting and other symptoms. Compared to the model group, there was no obvious inhibitory effect on the administration of each dose. After 7, 14, 21 and 28 d of continuous administration, the latency, duration and tremor frequency of tremor mice were significantly shortened, the levels of acetylcholine were significantly decreased, the changes of DOPAC and DA neurotransmitters in the brain of model group were recovered, regulate the dynamic balance of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain. CONCLUSION Long- term administration can improve the tremor behavior of mice, the mechanismmay be related to the regulation of neurotransmittersin brain.

Effect of Zuogui Pill () on monoamine neurotransmitters and sex hormones in climacteric rats with panic attack / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To explore the effects of Chinese medicine prescription Zuogui Pill (, ZGP) on monoamine neurotransmitters and sex hormones in climacteric rats with induced panic attacks.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight climacteric female rats were randomized into 6 groups with 8 rats in each group: the control group, the model group, the low-, medium- and high-dose ZGP groups and the alprazolam group. Rats in the low-, medium- and high-dose ZGP groups were administered 4.725, 9.45, or 18.9 g/kg ZGP by gastric perfusion, respectively. The alprazolam group was treated by gastric perfusion with 0.036 mg/kg alprazolam. The control and model groups were treated with distilled water. The animals were pretreated once daily for 8 consecutive weeks. The behaviors of rats in the open fifield test and the elevated T-maze (ETM) were observed after induced panic attack, and the levels of brain monoamine neurotransmitters and the plasma levels of sex hormones were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the mean ETM escape time and the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenalin (NE) of the model group were signifificantly reduced (P<0.05), Compared with the model group, the mean ETM escape time and the 5-HT and NE levels of all the ZGP groups increased signifificantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, no signifificant difference was observed in the levels of sex hormones between the groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pretreatment with ZGP in climacteric rats may improve the behavior of panic attack, which may be related to increased 5-HT and NE in the brain.</p>

Evaluation of the sedative and hypnotic effects of H057 / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the sedative and hyp-notic effects of a novel compound H057 . Methods The sedative activity of H057 was investigated by re-cording the spontaneous locomotor activity in mice. The hypnotic property was evaluated by the latency and duration of loss of righting reflex( LORR) in mice and effect of H057 on the sleep onset in subthreshold dos-age of sodium pentobarbital treated mice. The extracel-lular levels of GABA and monoamine neurotransmitters in in cerebral cortex were measured by microdialysis in vivo. Results The spontaneous locomotor activity was decreased by 25% and 66% in H057 ( 5 , 25 mg · kg-1 ,i. p. ) treated mice, respectively. H057 ( 3, 5 mg·kg-1 ,i. p. ) increased the sleep onset to 62. 5%and 87. 5% in subthreshold dosage of sodium pentobar-bital(25 mg·kg-1,i. p. ) treated mice. H057(≥60 mg· kg-1 , i. p. ) could completely induce LORR in mice. The latency of LORR at dose of 60 mg · kg-1 was (24 ± 11) min and the duration of LORR was (96 ± 15 ) min. In vivo mircodialysis revealed that H057 (25 mg·kg-1 , i. p. ) could significantly increase the GABA level by 26% and decrease the 5-HT and NE levels by 50% and 38% in cerebral cortex in mice. Conclusion H057 has potent sedative and hypnotic effects, which may be closely related to the increased content of GABA and the decreased contents of 5-HT and NE in the extracellular fluid in cerebral cortex.

Effect of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix on single amine neurotransmitter in brain of CUMS depression model of rats / 中草药

Objective: To observe the change of single amine neurotransmitter content in brain of rats, to reveal the antidepressant mechanism of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix. Methods: Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model was successfully established on rats. Rats were randomly divided into control, model, positive drug (fluoxetine hydrochloride 15 mg/kg), low-, mid-, and high-dose of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix (crude drug of 8, 16, and 32 g/kg, Bupleuri Radix-Paeoniae Alba Radix ratio 1∶1), low-, mid-, and high-dose of Bupleuri Radix (crude drug 8, 16, and 32 g/kg) group, and low-, mid-, and high-dose of Paeoniae Alba Radix (crude drug 8, 16, and 32 g/kg) groups, which were ig given drugs for 14 d. After the administration, the brain tissue of rats was taken out. The monoamine neurotransmitter [norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, (5-HIAA)] content changes of material could be detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Compaed with the model group, the contents of NE and 5-HT increased obviously, while the content of 5-HIAA decreased obviously in the hippocampus, cortex, and hypothalamus in the mid-, and high-dose of herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix group (P<0.05, 0.01); In the low-dose herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix groups, the decrease-contents of NE and 5-HT could be reversed of and the level of 5-HIAA could be decreased (P<0.05) in a varying degrees. Conclusion: The herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix, Bupleuri Radix, or Paeoniae Alba Radix could play the role of anti-depression by regulation of the manoamine neurotransmitter in the brain of rats. The anti-depressant effect of the herb pair of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Alba Radix is better than that of Bupleuri Radix or Paeoniae Alba Radix.

Effects of Jiaotai Pill on behavior and monoamine neurotransmitters of depression rat model / 中草药

Objective: To study the effects of Jiaotai Pill on the behavior and monoamine neurotransmitters of chronic mild unpredictable stress (CUMS) depression rat model and to investigate the anti-depression effect and mechanism of Jiaotai Pill. Methods: A total of 72 SD rats were divided into six groups randomly, namely control, model, positive drug (fluoxetine hydrochloride, 7.5 mg/kg), low-, mid-, and high-doses of Jiaotai Pill (crude drug 0.75, 1.5, and 3 g/kg) groups (n = 12), which were reared in cage and execpt the control group, the other five groups of rats were given CUMS to stimulate the production of CUMS depression model, then ig given Jiaotai Pill for 14 d. Rats in each group were measured the body weight and the rate of sucrose preference once a week to observe the open-field activity behavior (through the horizontal grid and the number of vertical changes) at the 5th week. All the animals were killed to get the blood and brain cortex to test the levels of NE, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA in hippocampus, cortex, and hypothalamus by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Compared with the model group, the test indexes of rat body weight, sucrose water consumption, and the open-field activity behavior were significantly increased in the low-, mid-, and high-dose of Jiaotai Pill groups. And the contents of NE and 5-HT increased, while the content of 5-HIAA decreased obviously in the hippocampus, cortex, and hypothalamus in all Jiaotai Pill groups (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion: Jiaotai Pill has a better antidepressant effect whose mechanism is related to increasing the level of monoamine neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex.

Experimental study on abnormal expression of TPH2,DDC and MAO-A involved in depression-like behaviors of rats induced by CUS / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2),dopa-decarboxylase (DDC)and monoamine oxidase-A(MAO-A)in depression-like be-haviors induced by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).Methods 30 male SD rats were randomly di-vided into model group(MG)and control group(CG). Rat depression model was developed by CUS for 28 consecutive days in a solitary condition.The depres-sion-like behaviors of rats were evaluated by open-field test(OFT)and forced-swimming test(FST).The real time PCR and Western blot test were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of TPH2,DDC and MAO-A in rat telencephalon and hippocampus.Re-sults The movement scores of rats were obviously de-creased in OFT(P<0.01 ).The immobility time was obviously increased in FST (P <0.01 ).The mRNA and protein expressions of TPH2 and DDC were de-creased significantly (P <0.01,P <0.05 )and the MAO-A mRNA and protein expressions were increased significantly(P <0.01,P <0.05 )in telencephalon and hippocampus of MG rats, when compared with those in CG rats.Conclusion The TPH2,DDC and MAO-A in rat telencephalon and hippocampus were closely related with the depression-like behaviors of rats induced by CUS.

Antidepressant-like effects of ammoxetine in mice of behavioral despair model and monoamine neurotransmitter depletion model / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To study the antidepressant effects of ammoxetine(AMX)and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Two behavioral despair models,the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test(FST),were used to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of AMX 2.5-20 mg · kg-1 following oral administration. Monoamine neurotransmitter p-chloro-phenylalanine(p-CPA)andα-methyl-p-tyrosine(AMPT) depletion models in mice were used to investigate the effects of AMX on levels of 5-serotomin(5-HT)and norepinephrine(NE)in the brain. RESULLTS The results of behavioral study showed that compared with normal control group,AMX(10 and 20 mg · kg-1)reduced the immobility time of mice by 51.4% and 80.7% in the TST(P<0.05,P<0.01) or by 48.0% and 66.2% in the FST (P<0.05),respectively. Locomotion activity test indicated that AMX did not increase or decrease the movement distance of mice,demonstrating that AMX had no excitatory or inhibitory actions on the central nervous system. Moreover,AMX(5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1)exerted antidepressant effects in the p-CPA induced 5-HT depletion model and AMPT induced NE depletion model,as evidenced by the significantly reduced immobility time,ie,63.9%,93.4%,90.5% and 61.9%,77.2%,100% reduction in the TST (P<0.01),respectively,and AMX at the dose of 20 mg·kg-1 significantly increased the concentrations of 5-HT and NE by 144.7% and 57.2% in the mouse brain(P<0.05) ,respectively. CONCLUSION AMX has strong antidepressant-like effects in behavioral despair models and monoamine neurotransmitter depletion models in mice,which is involved in the increased levels of 5-HT and NE in the brain.

Roles of monoamine neurotransmitters in the mechanism of drug addiction / 中国药理学通报

Drug addiction is a chronic recrudescent brain dis-ease. Various addictive drugs acting on the reward system result in rewarding effects through changes in neurotransmitter patholog-ical release. Among these monoamine neurotransmitters, 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine and dopamine play key roles in drug addiction. This paper reviews, from a comprehensive perspective, the roles which monoamine neurotransmitters play in the drug addiction and the process of getting addictive.