RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antidepressant effects of the Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi-extracts in response to the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (9-week-old) were orally administered the Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) daily for 14 consecutive days. Serum corticosterone level was measured by using commercially available kit. The c-fos immunoreactivity was analyzed using immunohistochemistry methods. RESULTS: The effect of Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts on the immobility time was significantly decreased at high-dose (300 mg/kg) treated group in the TST and FST (47.7% and 69.6%, p < 0.05), and decreased the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to the stress, as indicated by an attenuated corticosterone response and decreased c-fos immunoreactivity in the hippocampal and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus region. CONCLUSION: Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts have beneficial effects on depression behaviors and restore both altered c-fos expression and HPA activity. Thus, Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts may be a novel agent for the treatment of stress-related disorders.
