Antidepressant-like effect of saponins extracted from Chaihu-jia-longgu-muli-tang and its possible mechanism.
In this study, we investigated the antidepressant-like effect of saponins (SCLM) extracted from a traditional Chinese medicine, Chaihu-jia-longgu-muli-tang (CLM), in mice and rats using the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). Subchronic administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg (p.o.) SCLM for 7 days reduced immobility time in the TST and FST in mice and also decreased immobility time at 70 and 140 mg/kg (p.o.) in the FST in rats. The results also showed that the anti-immobility activity of SCLM in these two tests is dose-dependent, without accompanying significant effects on locomotor activity. In addition, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) assays showed that 25, 50 and 100 microg/ml SCLM or 10 microM fluoxetine (FLU), protected PC12 cells from the lesion induced by 10 microM corticosterone (Cort) treatment for 48 h. In the fura-2/AM (acetoxymethyl ester) labeling assay, 50 and 100 microg/ml SCLM, 10 microM FLU attenuated the intracellular Ca2+ overloading induced by 200 microM Cort treatment for 48 h in PC12 cells. Using RT-PCR, the mRNA level of nerve growth factor (NGF) was also detected. Treatment with SCLM (50, 100 microg/ml) for 48 h elevated the NGF mRNA expression in PC12 cells. In summary, these results suggest that SCLM possesses an antidepressant-like activity in behavioral models that might be mediated via the cytoprotective action shown in PC12 cells.
Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 1 Shennong Road, 210038, People's Republic of China.
Weili
W
Zhu
Shiping
S
Ma
Rong
R
Qu
Dali
D
Kang
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D012503:Saponins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012503:Saponins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D002118:Calcium; D003345:Corticosterone