title: Antidepressant-like effect of Ikwitang involves modulation of monoaminergic systems.
abstract: Depression is a chronic mental disorder. Inflammatory reactions have an important function in the pathophysiology of depression. Ikwitang (IW) has been used to treat fever and inflammatory diseases, however, its effect on depression has not been previously investigated. Therefore, the present study evaluated the possible antidepressant‑like effect of IW using a forced swimming test (FST) in mice. IW was orally administered for 14 days. On the 14 day, IW was administered 1 h prior to the FST. The immobility durations of the IW groups (0.01, 0.1 and 1 g/kg) were significantly decreased, compared with those of the distilled water (D.W.) groups. The reduction of immobility duration by IW was associated with significant increases in the levels of serotonin, noradrenaline and estrogen receptor‑β in the brain. IW significantly increased the levels of brain‑derived neurotrophic factor and phosphorylated extracellular signal‑regulated kinases, compared with the D.W. groups. In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced following IW administration in the hippocampus and serum. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that the antidepressant effect of IW may be associated with the modulation of monoaminergic systems and inflammatory reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Technology, Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Hoseo University, Asan, Chungnam 336‑795, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Ja
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D016207:Cytokines; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010936:Plant Extracts; C000613191:ikwitang; D012701:Serotonin; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D009638:Norepinephrine