RESUMO
Aim To investigate the antidepressant effect of imperatorin(IMP) and explore its mechanism. Methods The model of depression was established by prenatal stress (PS) on late pregnant mother, then male offspring rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, PS model, fluoxetine group(5 mg • kg"1), IMP( 15, 30 mg • kg"1). Sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and open field test were used to evaluate the behavioral changes. 5- hydroxytryptamine ( 5-HT ) concentration, serotonin transporters(5-HTT) and 5-HT,A receptor(5-HT,AR) mRNA expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR. Results Compared with PS group, the percentage of sucrose preference and the number of total crossings, center crossings, rearing, grooming and 5-IIT concentration significantly increased in IMP group(/> <0. 01). The im-mobility time was significantly reduced in IMP group compared with PS group ( P < 0. 01). The 5-HT concentration and 5-HT1A R mRNA expressions of PS offspring rats significantly increased by the administration ofIMP (P<0.05,P<0.01). And, the increased 5- HTT mRNA markedly decreased in IMP group compared with PS group (P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 01 ). Conclusions IMP can obviously improve rat behavior and show anti-depressant effect, which may relate to the 5- HT concentration, 5-HTT and 5-HT,AR mRNA expression in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.