title: Saikosaponin A Alleviates Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder through Downregulation of DAT and Enhancing BDNF Expression in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats.
abstract: The disturbed dopamine availability and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression are due in part to be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we investigated the therapeutical effect of saikosaponin a (SSa) isolated fromBupleurum ChineseDC, against spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model of ADHD. Methylphenidate and SSa were orally administered for 3 weeks. Activity was assessed by open-field test and Morris water maze test. Dopamine (DA) and BDNF were determined in specific brain regions. The mRNA or protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), and vesicles monoamine transporter (VMAT) was also studied. Both MPH and SSa reduced hyperactivity and improved the spatial learning memory deficit in SHRs. An increased DA concentration in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum was also observed after treating with the SSa. The increased DA concentration may partially be attributed to the decreased mRNA and protein expression of DAT in PFC while SSa exhibited no significant effects on the mRNA expression of TH and VMAT in PFC of SHRs. In addition, BDNF expression in SHRs was also increased after treating with SSa or MPH. The obtained result suggested that SSa may be a potential drug for treating ADHD.
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: Sun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jichao
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: Han
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8935-8997
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xinmin
authors.affiliation: Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China.
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xianguo
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dongqi
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rongyi
authors.affiliation: Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shuang
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: You
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuchen
authors.affiliation: The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jingnan