title: Anxiolytic-like effect of danshensu [(3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-lactic acid)] in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Danshensu [3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-lactic acid], a phenylpropanoid compound isolated from Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, is a well-known antioxidant. Although its antioxidant activity and cardioprotective effect have been reported, the pharmacological properties of danshensu in the central nervous system remain unclear. We investigated whether danshensu exerts anxiolytic-like activity in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibition assay on danshensu in vitro, and behavioral tests including the elevated plus-maze test (EPM), the hole-board test, the rotarod test and the open field test were employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that danshensu significantly inhibited the activity of MAO-A in vitro. The administration of danshensu (3 or 10mg/kg) produced a significant anxiolytic-like effect in the EPM and hole-board test. In addition, no changes in the spontaneous locomotor activity and no myorelaxant effects were observed compared to the control group; these effects were confirmed with the open field test and the rotarod test. Moreover, the anxiolytic-like properties of danshensu were antagonized by a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist (SCH 23390) but not by a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (WAY 100635) or an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist (prazosin).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that danshensu exerts its anxiolytic-like properties, in part, through dopaminergic neurotransmitter signaling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Guyoung
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Ji
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Se Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Eun
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Je
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Qingtao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, College of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: dsjang@khu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Dae Sik
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jhryu63@khu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jong Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ryu
mesh_terms: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D007773:Lactates / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001552:Benzazepines; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D007773:Lactates; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; C534628:SCH 23390; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C035055:3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid; C090413:N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide; D011224:Prazosin
keywords: Anxiolytic-like activity; Danshensu; Dopamine; Elevated plus-maze