Antidepressive Effects of Taraxacum Officinale in a Mouse Model of Depression Are Due to Inhibition of Corticosterone Levels and Modulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase-1 (Mkp-1) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf) Expression.

BACKGROUND Depression is a common disorder linked with high levels of chronicity, psycho-social and physical problems, and suicide. Here, we assessed the antidepressant effects of the hydromethanolic extract of Taraxacum officinale and investigated the underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Antidepressant effects were examined by use of the tail suspension test (TST). Concentrations of corticosterone, dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline were examined by biochemical assays. The mRNA expression was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Phytochemical analysis was performed by LC/MS. RESULTS The results showed that the extract at the dosage of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly (p<0.01) alleviated the TST-induced immobility in the mice, and the effects were comparable to the antidepressant drug Bupropion, which was used as the positive control. Investigation of the underlying mechanism revealed that the T. officinale extract exerts it effects by significantly (p<0.05) decreasing the levels of corticosterone and increasing the concentrations of dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Further, the extract also increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), which was associated with significant (p<0.05) decrease in the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (Mkp-1), indicative of the antidepressant potential of T. officinale. Finally, the active constituents of the extract, which include isoetin, hesperidin, naringenin, Kaempferol, sinapinic, and gallic acid, were also identified, which could potentially be responsible for its antidepressant effects. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, T. officinale exerts significant antidepressant effects in a mouse model of depression by inhibition of corticosterone levels and modulation of Mkp-1 and Bdnf expression.

Resolving defence mechanisms: A perspective based on dissipative structure theory.

Theories and classifications of defence mechanisms are not unified. This study addresses the psychological system as a dissipative structure which exchanges information with the external and internal world. When using defence mechanisms, the cognitive-affective schema of an individual could remain stable and ordered by excluding psychological entropy, obtaining psychological negentropy or by dissipating the energy of self-presentation. From this perspective, defences can be classified into three basic types: isolation, compensation and self-dissipation. However, not every kind of defence mechanisms can actually help the individual. Non-adaptive defences are just functioning as an effective strategy in the short run but can be a harmful approach in the long run, while adaptive defences could instead help the individual as a long-term mechanism. Thus, we would like to suggest that it is more useful for the individual to use more adaptive defence mechanisms and seek out social or interpersonal support when undergoing psychic difficulties. As this model of defences is theoretical at present, we therefore aim to support and enrich this viewpoint with empirical evidence.

Mirror neuron system activation for conscious states assessment: for patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states.

Mirror neuron system (MNS) represents the direct pathway to consciousness. Measuring MNS activation provides an accurate and reliable assessment of conscious status in vegetative and minimally conscious states (VS and MCS) patients. It will be further interesting to design MNS activation-based procedure to "recall" the consciousness in such patients.