Effects of Chaihu Shugan Powder on behaviors and expression of 5-HT2A and BDNF in brain region of a rat model of post-stroke depression / 中成药

ABSTRACT

AIM To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan Powder on the behaviors rat models of post-stroke depression(PSD)and the expression of 5-HT2A and BDNF in prefrontal cortex and striatum.METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the blank group,the sham operation group,the model group,Chaihu Shugan Powder group,the fluoxetine group and the combination drug group,with 9 rats in each group.The PSD rat models were established by the right middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)by thread embolism method followed by further exposure to 4 weeks chronic and unpredictable mild stimulation.Subsequently,the rats started their corresponding regime of normal saline 5 mL/kg,Chaihu Shugan Powder 2 mg/kg,fluoxetine 12.5 mg/kg,and Chaihu Shugan Powder 2 mg/kg and fluoxetine 12.5 mg/kg(the combination group),respectively,and had their body mass measured and their behaviors(sugar water preference test,open field test and Morris water maze test)assessed simultaneously during the trial.After the experiment,the rats had their 5-HT2A and BDNF in prefrontal cortex and striatum detected of the mRNA expressions by RT-qPCR;of their expressions of the positive cells by immunohistochemical staining;and of their protein expressions by Westren blot.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed no improvement of depression-like behaviors,and decreased in mRNA expressions,positive cell expressions and protein expressions of 5-HT2A and BDNF(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Chaihu Shugan Powder,fluoxetine and combination drug showed improved depression-like behaviors,and increased mRNA expressions,positive cell expressions and protein expressions of 5-HT2A and BDNF as well(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Chaihu Shugan Powder can improve the depression-like behaviors in the PSD rat model,and its mechanism may be associated with the improvement in the expressions of 5-HT2A and BDNF in prefrontal cortex and striatum.