ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae on the anxiety behavior of the yin deficiency mice, to filter the active material of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae and explore its anti-anxiety mechanism. METHODS: The yin deficiency mice model with intragastrical 320 mg/kg thyroid tablet for nine days exception normal control group. To observe yin deficiency model mice anxiety action by means of the elevated plus-maze and light-dark transitions of mice. After the experiment, peeled off cerebra at once. The left saved in liquid nitrogen for assaying GABA and Glu with TLCS, and right saved in formalin for the protein expression of GABAaR1 and NMDAR1 with immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: (1) Compared with yin deficiency model group, Tabellae Diazepami group and the middle alcohol extracts group increased instinctively in the percentage of time and degree entering open-arm in eleveated plus maze, and the passing times in light-dark transitions increased instinctively (P<0.05). (2) Compared with yin deficiency model group, the contents of GABA increased evidently (P<0.05) and Glu reduced evidently (P<0.05) in Tabellae Diazepami group and the middle alcohol extracts group. (3) Compared with yin deficiency model group,the expression of GABAAR1 increased evidently (P<0.05) and NMDAR1 reduced evidently (P<0.05) in the diszepam group and the middle alcohol extracts group. CONCLUSIONS: The alcohol extracts of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae have the anti-anxiety effects instinctively. Its mechanism may be related to increasing the GABA and expression of GABAAR1 and reducing the Glu and expression of NMDAR1.
