[Effects of total triterpenes of Centella asiatica on the corticosterone levels in serum and contents of monoamine in depression rat brain].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible effect of antidepressant effect of total triterpentes of Centella asiatica.


METHODS
The corticosterone levels in serum were measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. The contents of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in rats cortex, hippocamopus and thalamus were evaluated by using HPLC with electrochemical detector.


RESULTS
Significant reduction of the corticosterone level in serum and increase of the contents of 5-HT, NE, DA and their metabolites 5-HIAA, MHPG in rat brain were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The antidepressant effect of total triterpenes of Centella asiatica may be involved in ameliorating the function of HPA axis and increasing the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters.
Chen
Yao
Y
Pharmacy School, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai.
Han
Ting
T
Rui
Yaocheng
Y
Yin
Ming
M
Qin
Luping
L
Zheng
Hanchen
H
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D028041:Centella / Q000737:chemistry*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D014315:Triterpenes; D003345:Corticosterone