title: Effect of aqueous extract and fractions of Zhi-Zi-Hou-Pu decoction against depression in inescapable stressed mice: Restoration of monoamine neurotransmitters in discrete brain regions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Zhi-Zi-Hou-Pu decoction (ZZHPD) is a traditional prescription which has been used to treat "Yu-syndrome" (depression and melancholia) in Chinese herbal medication.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate antidepressant activities of ZZHPD, its fractions and possible mechanism(s) of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  ZZHPD (1241, 2482 and 4964 mg/kg), n-butanol fraction (ZH-BA, 1454 mg/kg), cyclohexane fraction (ZH-CH, 17 mg/kg) and aqueous fraction (ZH-AQ, 3493 mg/kg) were administered orally to different groups of mice for seven consecutive days. Forced Swimming Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) were conducted 60 min after the last administration to evaluate the antidepressant effect. Norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in discrete brain parts were determined by HPLC-FD immediately after behavioral tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ZZHPD at 2482, 4964 mg/kg, ZH-BA (1454 mg/kg), ZH-CH (17 mg/kg) or clomipramine hydrochloride (20 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the duration of immobility in FST and TST without affecting locomotor activities in the open field test. Observed from score plot of principle component analysis of monoamine levels in different groups, the monoamine profile of ZZHPD-treated mice were similar to that of the normal control mice. HPLC-UV analysis indicated that iridoid glycosides, flavones and neolignans might be the active chemicals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrated significant antidepressant-like effect of ZZHPD in mice which was related to monoaminergic system, ZH-BA and ZH-CH could be the active fractions responsible for the antidepressant effect of ZZHPD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Ai-Min
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Feng-Fei
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Lu-Lu
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D020001:1-Butanol / Q000737:chemistry; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003510:Cyclohexanes / Q000737:chemistry; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019417:Hindlimb Suspension / Q000523:psychology*; D039823:Iridoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D039823:Iridoids; D012997:Solvents; C581916:Zhi-Zi-Hou-Pu decoction; D014867:Water; D012701:Serotonin; C506365:Cyclohexane; D020001:1-Butanol; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine