title: Anxiolytic action of pterostilbene: involvement of hippocampal ERK phosphorylation.
abstract: Pterostilbene, a natural analog of resveratrol, has diverse health-beneficial properties. However, the neurological activities of this compound are largely unexplored. Here, we report that pterostilbene shows anxiolytic-like actions by down-regulating phosphorylated levels of extracellular regulated kinases in the hippocampus of mice. Adult male mice administered pterostilbene (1-10 mg/kg, p. o.) were subjected to the elevated plus maze test. Pterostilbene manifested anxiolytic activity at 1 and 2 mg/kg doses, demonstrated by increases in % permanence time and number of open arm entries. The locomotor activity of the animals was unaffected at all doses. Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in both extracellular regulated kinase 1 and extracellular regulated kinase 2 phosphorylation in hippocampal homogenates from mice treated with 1 and 2 mg/kg pterostilbene. Moreover, pterostilbene was detected in the plasma and brains of mice following single oral administration. Anxiolytic activity was not observed at the higher doses (5 and 10 mg/kg). However, no impairment of motor function was observed either, suggesting a favorable safety index for the compound. These results suggest that pterostilbene has the potential for therapeutic drug development for anxiety disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Rahim
authors.forename: Agnes M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rimando
authors.forename: Kalpten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Silistreli
authors.forename: Abir T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: El-Alfy
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D013267:Stilbenes; C107773:pterostilbene; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3