title: Involvement of histaminergic system in the anxiolytic-like activities of Morus alba leaves in mice.
abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of 85% methanolic extract of Morus alba leaves (EMA), which is a traditional herb, in mice. The effects of EMA on the anxiolytic-like behaviour were studied using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and hole-board test. To elucidate the mode of action of the anxiolytic-like effects of EMA, the mice were subjected to the co-administration of EMA (200 mg/kg, per os (p.o.)) and either antagonist. EMA (at 200 or 400 mg/kg) significantly increased the percentages of time-spent in the open arms and entries into the open arms of the EPM versus vehicle-treated control group (p<0.05). Moreover, in the hole-board test, EMA (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of head-dips versus vehicle-treated control group (p<0.05). However, there were no changes in the locomotor activity and myorelaxant effects in any group compared with the vehicle-treated control group. In addition, the anxiolytic-like effects of EMA were abolished by thioperamide (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)), which is a histamine H3 receptor antagonist. Moreover, results from reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) also revealed that the amygdalal histidine decarboxylase mRNA expression levels in EMA (200 mg/kg)-treated group were significantly higher than those in the vehicle-treated controls (p<0.05). These results suggest that EMA might prove to be an effective anxiolytic agent and that EMA acts via the histaminergic system in central nerve system.
authors: Department of Aquatic Biomedical Sciences, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, College of Ocean Science, Jeju National University.
authors: Seungheon
authors: S
authors: Lee
authors: Dong Hyun
authors: DH
authors: Kim
authors: Ji Hye
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Eun Seong
authors: ES
authors: Ko
authors: Won Bo
authors: WB
authors: Oh
authors: Yong Taek
authors: YT
authors: Seo
authors: Young Pyo
authors: YP
authors: Jang
authors: Jong Hoon
authors: JH
authors: Ryu
authors: Ji Wook
authors: JW
authors: Jung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D054828:Histamine H3 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006640:Histidine Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D031625:Morus; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D054828:Histamine H3 Antagonists; D010879:Piperazines; D010880:Piperidines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011725:Pyridines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D005442:Flumazenil; C090413:N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide; D006640:Histidine Decarboxylase; C052075:thioperamide