Anti-stress effect of astragaloside IV in immobilized mice.
BACKGROUND
Astragaloside IV, a major component extracted from the roots of Astragalus membranaceus (AM), possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-fibrotic, anti-infarction and immunoregulatory effects. To clarify anti-stress effect of AM, anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory effects of 80% ethanol extract of AM and astragaloside IV were investigated in immobilization stress model.


METHODS
The mice were orally administered with AM (50, 200, and 500 mg/kg), astragaloside IV (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) and buspirone, a positive drug, 1h before immobilization treated for 2h. For anxiolytic activity assay, EPM test was performed in mice. For anti-inflammatory activity assay, serum levels of corticosterone, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured using ELISA kits.


RESULTS
AM extract and astragaloside IV increased dose-dependently time spent on open arms and open arm entries in the EPM test. Anxiolytic effects of AM extract (500 mg/kg) and astragaloside IV (20 mg/kg) were comparable to those of buspirone (1 mg/kg). Their anxiolytic effects were blocked by WAY-100635 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (p<0.01), but not by flumazenil (3 mg/kg, i.p.) and bicuculline (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), GABAA receptor antagonists. AM extract and astragaloside IV also reduced serum levels of corticosterone, IL-6 and TNF-α dose-dependently.


CONCLUSIONS
AM, particularly astragaloside IV, may ameliorate immobilized stress-induced anxiety and inflammation.
Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Hyun-A
HA
Oh
East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, 23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
Hyuck Jai
HJ
Choi
East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, 23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
Nam Jae
NJ
Kim
Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea; East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, 23, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: dhkim@khu.ac.kr.
Dong-Hyun
DH
Kim
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C577686:interleukin-6, mouse; C052064:astragaloside A; D003345:Corticosterone
Anxiety; Astragaloside IV; Astragalus membranaceus; Immobilization stress; Inflammation