The anxiolytic effect of cinnabar involves changes of serotonin levels.
The aim of this study was to explore the neuropharmacological mechanism of cinnabar. The anxiolytic effect of cinnabar on anxiety-like behaviors in mice was investigated using the elevated plus maze test. The changes in the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites and the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the brain of mice were determined. The results indicate that cinnabar possessed anxiolytic effects after chronic administration (p.o.) at effective doses in association with the declined brain serotonin (5-HT) level. The cinnabar showed no effects on 5-HT metabolism pathway. The results suggested the potential importance of the brain serotonergic system. The 5-HT metabolism pathway may be not involved in the anxiolytic effects of cinnabar.
Wang
Qi
Q
School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China.
Yang
Xiaoda
X
Zhang
Baoxu
B
Yang
Xiuwei
X
Wang
Kui
K
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D012701:Serotonin; C034211:cinnabar