Effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer extract on the offspring of adult mice with maternal immune activation.

To understand maternal immune activation (MIA) during prenatal development, the synthetic double­stranded RNA polyriboinosinic­polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] has been widely used in animal models to induce behavioral deficits similar to those in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (PG) extract is widely used to treat various kinds of nervous system disorders in Asia particularly China and Korea. The present study aimed to examine the effects of PG extract on MIA offspring using behavioral activity tests and protein expression analyses. Pregnant mice were exposed to poly(I:C) (5 mg/kg) or vehicle treatment on gestation day 9, and the resulting MIA offspring were subjected to vehicle or PG (300 mg/kg) treatment. In the acoustic startle response test, MIA­induced sensorimotor gating deficit was ameliorated by PG. The majority of behavioral parameters measured in the social interaction (non­aggressive or/and aggressive pattern), open field (number/duration of behavior) and forced swimming test (immobility behavior) were significantly altered in the MIA offspring. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of the medial prefrontal cortex indicated that the expression levels of certain neurodevelopmental proteins, including dihydropyrimidinase­related 2, LIM and SH3 domain 1, neurofilament medium, and discs large homolog 4, were decreased in the untreated MIA offspring, whereas PG treatment improved behavioral impairments and increased neurodevelopmental protein expression in MIA offspring. These results suggested that PG may be useful in neurodevelopmental disorder therapy, including psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, owing to its antipsychotic effects.

Antinociceptive effect of Valeriana fauriei regulates BDNF signaling in an animal model of fibromyalgia.

The genus Valeriana has been widely used in popular medicine for centuries, to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, epilepsy and insomnia. Recent studies have focused on the novel pharmacological effects of Valeriana fauriei Briq. (VF) species. Previous studies have attempted to determine the pharmacological functions of Valeriana in various human diseases, particularly with regards to its neuroprotective effects, and its ability to reduce pain and stress. The present study constructed an animal model of fibromyalgia (FM), which was induced by intermittent cold stress with slight modification. Subsequently, the study aimed to determine whether VF exerts antinociceptive effects on the FM­like model following oral administration of VF extracts. The effects of VF extracts on the FM model were investigated by analyzing behavioral activity, including pain, and detecting protein expression. In the behavioral analysis, the results of a nociception assay indicated that the pain threshold was significantly decreased in the FM group. Subsequently, western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses of the hippocampus demonstrated that the protein expression levels of brain­derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated­cAMP response element­binding protein were downregulated in the FM group. Conversely, VF restored these levels. These results suggested that the effects of VF extract on a model of FM may be associated with its modulatory effects on the BDNF signaling pathway in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. In conclusion, the mechanism underlying the protective effects of VF as a therapeutic agent against FM may involve the BDNF signaling pathway.

Association between endothelin­1 and fibromyalgia syndrome.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain, stiffness and pressure hyperalgesia at soft tissue tender points. Patients with FMS may exhibit a tendency towards cold extremities and cold­induced vasospasm. Endothelin­1 (EDN1) is a potent vasoconstrictor that is mainly produced by endothelial cells. The present study aimed to determine whether plasma expression levels avvnd single­nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs1800541) of the EDN1 gene were associated with FMS and/or any of its clinical variables. Plasma EDN1 levels were assessed by ELISA, and SNP genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction­high­resolution melting curve analysis. Patients with the TG genotype and the G allele may have an elevated risk of FMS. In addition, patients with FMS with the TG genotype and/or T allele exhibited higher plasma EDN1 levels compared with healthy controls. EDN1 levels increased significantly in patients with FMS compared with normal controls. In addition, EDN1 SNP was found to be associated with susceptibility to FMS.

Effects of tianeptine on symptoms of fibromyalgia via BDNF signaling in a fibromyalgia animal model.

Previous reports have suggested that physical and psychological stresses may trigger fibromyalgia (FM). Stress is an important risk factor in the development of depression and memory impairments. Antidepressants have been used to prevent stress-induced abnormal pain sensation. Among various antidepressants, tianeptine has been reported to be able to prevent neurodegeneration due to chronic stress and reverse decreases in hippocampal volume. To assess the possible effect of tianeptine on FM symptoms, we constructed a FM animal model induced by restraint stress with intermittent cold stress. All mice underwent nociceptive assays using electronic von Frey anesthesiometer and Hargreaves equipment. To assess the relationship between tianeptine and expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB), western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed. In behavioral analysis, nociception tests showed that pain threshold was significantly decreased in the FM group compared to that in the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus showed downregulation of BDNF and p-CREB proteins in the FM group compared to the control group. However, tianeptine recovered these changes in behavioral tests and protein level. Therefore, this FM animal model might be useful for investigating mechanisms linking BDNF-CREB pathway and pain. Our results suggest that tianeptine might potentially have therapeutic efficacy for FM.

Effect of Valeriana fauriei extract on the offspring of adult rats exposed to prenatal stress.

Exposing a pregnant female to stress is a risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders in the offspring. In the present study, we examined the effects of an extract of Valeriana fauriei (VF) root (100 mg/kg/day, administered on postnatal days 35-56) on behavioral patterns as well as protein expression in the prefrontal cortex of the offspring of prenatally-stressed rats. Modified behavioral tests, including the forced swim test, the open field test, a social interaction test and the prepulse inhibition test were performed and many of the parameters were found to decrease in the offspring of the rats exposed to PNS compared with the offspring of the non-stressed rats. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of the prefrontal cortex revealed that the downregulation of several neurodevelopmental proteins in the offspring of rats dams exposed to PNS was reversed after treatment with VF extract. These findings demonstrate that the downregulation of several proteins in the prefrontal cortex of the offspring of prenatally­stressed rats may be associated with subsequent behavioral changes, and that these phenomena recovered following VF treatment. Our results suggest that VF decreases the incidence of prenatal stress related-psychiatric disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia.