对香豆酸对慢性束缚应激诱导小鼠抑郁样行为的作用*

目的: 探索对香豆酸(p-CA)对慢性束缚应激(CRS)诱导小鼠抑郁样行为的作用。方法: 实验分两批进行,第一批小鼠随机分成对照组(Control),慢性束缚应激组(CRS)和慢性束缚应激+p-CA组(CRS+p-CA),每组8只,其中慢性束缚应激小鼠每天接受4 h的束缚应激,连续束缚21 d,而对照组小鼠留在笼中不被打扰。第22日小鼠腹腔注射溶媒(10%吐温80)或p-CA(100 mg/kg),注射后1 h进行自发活动测试(LMA),注射后4 h进行强迫游泳测试(FST),注射后24 h进行悬尾测试。第二批小鼠随机分成慢性束缚应激组(CRS) ,慢性束缚应激+ANA-12(原肌球蛋白激酶B拮抗剂)组(CRS+ANA-12)和慢性束缚应激+p-CA组(CRS+ p-CA)慢性束缚应激+p-CA +ANA-12组(CRS+ p-CA +ANA-12),每组8只,4组小鼠每天接受4 h的束缚应激,连续束缚21 d。第22日小鼠腹腔注射溶媒(10%吐温80)或p-CA(100 mg/kg),ANA-12(0.5 mg/kg)在p-CA注射前30 min给药。注射后1 h进行自发活动测试(LMA),注射后2 h进行强迫游泳测试(FST),注射后24 h进行悬尾测试。结果: ①在实验一中,与Control组相比,CRS组小鼠强迫游泳和悬尾测试中不动时间显著性增多(P＜0.05);而与CRS组相比,CRS+ p-CA组小鼠不动时间显著性减少(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)。②在实验二中,与CRS组相比,CRS+ p-CA组小鼠强迫游泳和悬尾测试中不动时间显著性减少(P＜0.05);而与CRS+ p-CA组相比,CRS+ p-CA +ANA-12组小鼠强迫游泳和悬尾测试中不动时间显著性增多(P＜0.05)。结论: P-CA改善慢性束缚应激诱导小鼠抑郁样行为,TrkB受体可能介导了此作用。     

对香豆酸上调BDNF及改善慢性束缚应激诱导小鼠记忆障碍的作用*

目的: 探索对香豆酸(p-CA)对慢性束缚应激(CRS)小鼠记忆障碍的作用及其可能机制。方法: 实验分两批进行,第一批小鼠随机分成对照组(Control)、慢性束缚应激＋溶媒组(CRS)和慢性束缚应激+ p-CA组(CRS+ p-CA), 每组8只,其中CRS小鼠每天接受4 h的束缚应激,连续束缚10 d,而对照组小鼠留在笼中不被打扰。第11日小鼠腹腔注射溶媒(10%吐温80)或p-CA(100 mg/kg),注射后2 h进行Y迷宫测试,注射后24 h进行新颖物体识别(NOR)采样,采样后2 h进行新颖物体识别测试。实验结束后断头取脑剥离海马并检测BDNF蛋白表达。第二批小鼠随机分成慢性束缚应激组(CRS) ,慢性束缚应激+ANA-12(原肌球蛋白激酶B拮抗剂)组(CRS+ANA-12),慢性束缚应激+p-CA组(CRS+ p-CA)和慢性束缚应激+p-CA +ANA-12组(CRS+ p-CA +ANA-12),每组8只,四组小鼠每天接受4 h的束缚应激,连续束缚10 d。第11日小鼠腹腔注射溶媒(10%吐温80)或p-CA(100 mg/kg),ANA-12在p-CA注射前30 min给药。注射后2 h进行Y迷宫测试,注射后24 h进行新颖物体识别采样,采样后2 h进行新颖物体识别测试。 结果: ①在实验一中,与Control组相比,CRS组小鼠Y迷宫和NOR测试的记忆显著性降低(P＜0.05),BDNF蛋白表达显著性降低(P＜0.01);而与CRS组相比,CRS+ p-CA组小鼠记忆显著性提高(P＜0.05),BDNF蛋白表达显著提高(P＜ 0.01)。②在实验二中,与CRS组相比,CRS+ p-CA组小鼠Y迷宫和NOR测试中记忆显著提高(P＜0.05);而与CRS+p-CA组相比,CRS+p-CA +ANA-12组小鼠 Y迷宫和NOR测试中记忆显著性降低(P＜0.05)。结论: P-CA可改善CRS诱导的小鼠记忆障碍,这种作用可能依赖于BDNF蛋白表达的上调。     

抗阻运动对胰岛素抵抗小鼠海马内焦亡相关蛋白的影响*

目的: 探讨胰岛素抵抗小鼠海马内焦亡相关蛋白的变化,以及抗阻训练对海马内焦亡相关蛋白的调节作用。方法: 6周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠随机分为对照组(C, n=12)和高脂膳食组(HFD, n=26)分别进行普通膳食或高脂膳食喂养12周。随后根据葡萄糖耐量实验(GTT)和胰岛素耐量实验(ITT)的结果,将HFD组分为胰岛素抵抗组(IR, n=10)和抗阻运动组(RT, n=10),维持高脂膳食喂养同时RT组小鼠进行抗阻训练。12周后,全部小鼠麻醉后处死,取脑并剥离出海马组织,通过Western blot检测焦亡相关蛋白的表达。结果: 与C组相比,IR组小鼠海马内NF-κB、NLRP3炎症小体、下游焦亡相关蛋白GSDMD-N和GSDMD以及炎症因子IL-1β和IL-18的蛋白表达量显著性上升(P＜0.05),SIRT1蛋白表达量以及p-AMPK蛋白水平显著性下降(P＜0.05);与IR组相比,RT组小鼠海马内NF-κB、NLRP3炎症小体、下游焦亡相关蛋白GSDMD-N和GSDMD以及炎症因子IL-1β和IL-18的蛋白表达量显著性下降(P＜0.05),SIRT1蛋白表达量以及p-AMPK蛋白水平显著性上升(P＜0.01)。结论: 胰岛素抵抗小鼠海马内NLRP3炎症小体被激活,介导海马内发生细胞焦亡;经过12周的抗阻运动可有效抑制NLRP3炎症小体激活,改善海马内细胞焦亡和炎症状态。     

黄芪甲苷对辐射诱发肾损伤的干预作用及其机制

目的: 探讨黄芪甲苷(AS-IV) 对辐射诱导的小鼠肾脏损伤的防护作用及其硫氧还蛋白相互作用蛋白 (TXNIP)/NOD 样受体蛋白3 (NLRP3) 通路机制。方法: 将小鼠分为正常对照组(Control)、二甲基亚砜(DMSO)溶剂组、辐射组(IR)、20 mg/kg AS-IV 预防组(IR+AS-20 mg/kg)和40 mg/kg AS-IV 预防组(IR+AS-40 mg/kg),每组各20只。IR+20 mg/kg 和 IR+40 mg/kg 组小鼠每天分别于腹腔注射20 mg/kg、40 mg/kg 的AS-IV;DMSO 组和 IR 组于腹腔注射体重对应的DMSO;Control 组腹腔注射生理盐水。腹腔注射一个月后, IR、IR+20 mg/kg和IR+40 mg/kg 组小鼠接受8 Gy的⁶⁰Coγ 辐射,总时长7 min,并于辐射完5 d后采集肾脏组织,检测其形态学变化、活性氧(ROS)水平、TXNIP 和 NLRP3蛋白的表达部位及 TXNIP/NLRP3 信号通路相关蛋白的表达情况。结果: 与 DMSO 组相比,辐射组小鼠肾小球和肾小管表现出明显的病理学特征,ROS 水平显著升高,TXNIP 及 NLRP3 蛋白阳性表达于各级肾小管上皮细胞且 TXNIP/NLRP3 信号通路相关蛋白TXNIP、NLRP3、半胱氨酸天冬酶1 (Caspase-1)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-ɑ)的表达显著升高(P＜0.01);与 IR 组相比,40 mg/kg 的 AS-IV 预防能明显改善辐射所致的病理反应,显著降低 ROS 水平和 TXNIP、NLRP3 的阳性表达,TXNIP/NLRP3 信号通路相关蛋白的表达显著减少(P＜0.01或P＜0.05)。结论: 40 mg/kg 的AS-IV给药可显著抑制辐射诱导的肾脏病理变化及 ROS 的产生,并通过抑制TXNIP/NLRP3 信号通路发挥肾脏保护作用。     

氯化两面针碱对小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的干预作用及其机制*

目的:探讨氯化两面针碱(NC)通过靶向miR-31对葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱发小鼠结肠炎的保护作用及其机制。方法:用1%DSS诱发小鼠溃疡性结肠炎(UC)。30只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为正常对照组(Control)(n=7),DSS组(n=8),DSS+NC组(7.27 mg/kg)(n=8)和NC组(n=7),饮水给予DSS,灌胃给予氯化两面针碱。造模周期为3周,分别为Control组和NC组每天饮用无菌水,DSS组和DSS+NC组第一周饮用1% DSS水,第2周正常饮水,第3周1% DSS水。造模最后一周给予Control组和DSS组小鼠0.5% 羧甲基纤维素钠(CMC-Na)灌胃,DSS+NC组和NC组给予NC灌胃。造模完成后,观察小鼠结肠炎相关的疾病活动指数(DAI),HE染色进行结肠组织病理评分,qPCR检测小鼠结肠组织miR-31的表达水平,Western blot检测小鼠结肠组织炎症蛋白NF-κB和COX-2的表达情况。结果:①与DSS组相比,DSS+NC组的 DAI 显著降低(P＜0.01),结肠病理损伤明显改善;②与Control组相比,DSS组小鼠结肠组织miR-31表达显著升高(P＜0.01),DSS+NC组miR-31的表达水平显著低于DSS组(P＜0.05);③与DSS组相比,DSS+NC组中的炎症蛋白NF-κB和COX-2表达水平显著下降(P＜0.05)。结论:氯化两面针碱对DSS诱导的小鼠溃疡性结肠炎有明显的治疗作用,其抗炎机制与下调miR-31的表达有关。     

PM2.5鼻腔滴注致小鼠海马组织损伤的炎性机制

目的: 探讨鼻腔滴注不同浓度的PM_2.5对小鼠海马组织损伤的炎性机制。方法: 30只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为3组(n=10):对照组、低剂量组、高剂量组。采用鼻腔滴注方法进行染毒,每次染毒前测量体重,低剂量组和高剂量组PM_2.5染毒剂量分别为1.5 mg/kg BW和7.5 mg/kg BW,对照组给予等体积的生理盐水,隔天染毒一次,共12次。用ELISA法测定血清中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)和白介素-6(IL-6)水平。HE染色和电镜观察肺和海马组织的病理变化及超微结构。用抗体芯片技术测定海马组织炎性细胞因子水平。结果: PM_2.5鼻腔滴注染毒对小鼠血清中TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6水平无显著影响(P＞0.05),肺组织结构也无明显病理改变。而在海马组织中,低剂量和高剂量PM_2.5暴露均能导致海马CA3区神经元排列紊乱,并存在神经元细胞周围突触数量减少,小血管周围水肿等超微结构变化。利用抗体芯片检测海马组织炎性细胞因子表达变化,结果显示,与对照组比较,低剂量组海马组织中CX3CL1、CSF2和TECK等炎性细胞因子水平显著升高(P＜0.05),而MIG和sTNFR1显著降低(P＜0.05);高剂量组中炎性因子CX3CL1、CSF2和TCA-3等显著升高(P＜0.05),而Leptin、MIG和FASLG等显著降低(P＜0.05)。结论: PM_2.5鼻腔滴注可诱导小鼠海马组织结构损伤,其作用途径可能为嗅脑通路,引起海马损伤的炎性机制可能与TNF-α和IL-6等促炎因子的显著升高和sTNFR1 、FASLG等炎性疾病标志物的显著降低有关。     

推拿对慢性应激大鼠抑郁行为的影响及其机制

目的: 探讨推拿对慢性应激大鼠抑郁行为的影响及其作用机制。方法: 制备慢性轻度不可预见性的应激大鼠模型^[1-2],造模21 d后,进行推拿治疗14 d。分组:空白对照组、模型组、推拿组、氟西汀组,每组10只。每日推拿膀胱经重要穴位10 min(间隔2 min,共2次)。通过体质量检测、旷场、糖水消耗实验和水迷宫实验评价抑郁模型大鼠行为学改变情况;蛋白质免疫印迹法(Western blot)法检测大鼠海马及前额叶皮质组织中ERK/P-ERK、BDNF蛋白表达情况。结果: 模型组与空白组比较,大鼠的体质量、旷场、糖水消耗实验和水迷宫数据均显著下降(P＜0.01),P-ERK、BDNF蛋白含量均显著降低(P＜0.01);推拿组和氟西汀组与模型组比较,大鼠的体质量、旷场实验、糖水消耗实验和水迷宫实验数据均显著上升(P＜0.01),推拿组和氟西汀组大鼠海马及前额叶皮质组织中P-ERK、BDNF蛋白含量均显著升高(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),氟西汀组升高更为显著(P＜0.01)。结论: 推拿可上调大鼠海马及前额叶皮质组织中ERK蛋白的磷酸化水平,激活ERK信号通路,促进效应蛋白BDNF的表达,改善慢性应激大鼠的抑郁行为。     

左旋卡尼汀对脂多糖诱导小鼠肺微血管内皮细胞自噬和凋亡的影响*

目的:探讨左旋卡尼汀(LC)对脂多糖(LPS)损伤的小鼠肺微血管内皮细胞(PMVECs)的保护作用及自噬、凋亡的影响。方法:采用体外培养的小鼠PMVECs,分为对照组(Control组)、LPS组(10 μg/ ml,3、6、12、24 h)、LPS(10 μg/ ml,24 h)+LC(终浓度为2.5、5、10 μg/ml)(LC组)。Annexin V-FITC/PI双标记法检测细胞凋亡,细胞免疫荧光染色法检测自噬小体,Western blot法检测自噬相关蛋白LC3及凋亡蛋白Caspase-3的含量,CCK-8法检测细胞活力。结果:① 与Control组比较,LPS 6 h、12 h、24 h组PMVECs细胞活力显著受到抑制,细胞凋亡率、自噬蛋白LC3Ⅱ表达显著增高(P均＜0.01),LC3蛋白阳性表达。②与LPS 24 h组比较,各浓度LC组PMVECs细胞活力显著提高、自噬蛋白LC3II表达水平显著升高(P均＜0.01),而PMVECs凋亡率和凋亡蛋白Caspase-3表达水平均明显降低 (P＜0.05)。结论:LC具有提高LPS刺激的小鼠PMVECs活性、促进PMVECs自噬、抑制凋亡的作用。     

Synaptotagmin 1基因敲除对小鼠行为的影响*

目的: 研究Synaptotagmin 1基因敲除(Syt1^+/-)对小鼠情绪行为的影响并初步探讨其可能机制。方法: 选取8周龄雄性Syt1^+/-小鼠及同窝野生型(WT)小鼠各5只,采用免疫荧光染色方法观察小鼠前额叶皮层、海马、杏仁核、伏隔核、纹状体和腹侧被盖区等6个脑区中Syt1的表达;选用8周龄雄性Syt1^+/-小鼠9只,以及WT小鼠10只为对照,通过旷场实验、高架十字迷宫实验和强迫游泳实验检测比较成年Syt1^+/-小鼠和WT小鼠的焦虑样行为;另选用8周龄雄性Syt1^+/-小鼠及WT小鼠各5只,检测小鼠前额叶皮层、海马和杏仁核的谷氨酸含量。结果: 与WT小鼠相比,Syt1^+/-小鼠在前额叶皮层、海马、杏仁核、伏隔核、纹状体和腹侧被盖区Syt1阳性细胞数目显著减少(P＜0.01);Syt1^+/-小鼠在旷场中总移动距离显著减少(P＜0.01),并更偏爱在外周区域活动(P＜0.01),对中心区域的探索欲望显著下降(P＜0.01);Syt1^+/-小鼠更偏好待在封闭安全环境中(P＜0.01),开臂探索次数(P＜0.05)和在其中运动的时间显著减少(P＜0.01);Syt1^+/-小鼠在强迫游泳实验中不动时间明显增加(P＜0.01);同时,Syt1^+/-小鼠杏仁核中谷氨酸的含量显著增加(P＜0.01)。结论: Syt1基因敲除可以引起小鼠显著的焦虑样行为,推测与杏仁核中谷氨酸含量增加有关。     

决明子水煎液复合4周游泳训练对小鼠运动性疲劳的干预作用*

目的:探究决明子水煎液复合4周游泳训练对小鼠抗疲劳能力的影响。方法:将40只雄性ICR小鼠随机分为4组,每组10只。对照组每天灌胃20 ml蒸馏水,连续4周;运动组是在对照组的基础上增加了运动干预;决明子组每天灌胃20 ml剂量为1 mg/ml的决明子水煎液;决明子运动组在决明子组的基础上增加了运动干预,运动干预为4周的无负重游泳训练。观察小鼠的力竭游泳运动时间、RMR、SOD、MDA和GSH-Px水平。采用One-Way ANOVE对所得数据进行组间比较,多重比较采用S-N-K法。结果:小鼠的RMR、SOD、MDA和GSH-Px水平在组间存在显著性差异(P＜0.05),力竭游泳运动时间存在着极显著性差异(P＜ 0.01);力竭游泳运动时间、GSH-Px和SOD水平在不同组间的排序为对照组＜运动组＜决明子组＜决明子运动组,MDA水平的排序为决明子运动组＜决明子组＜运动组＜对照组,RMR的排序为决明子组＜决明子运动组或对照组＜对照组或运动组(P＜0.05)。结论:决明子的药物作用和运动训练的刺激都能够不同程度地提高机体的抗疲劳能力,单一手段干预时决明子优于4周游泳训练,复合干预总体上优于单一手段的干预效果。     

Evaluation of Potential Antidepressant-Like Activity of Chalcone-1203 in Various Murine Experimental Depressant Models

Two classic animal behavior despair tests-the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST) were used to evaluate antidepressant-like activity of a new chalcone compound, chalcone-1203 in mice. It was observed that chalcone-1203 at dose of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST and TST in mice 30 min after treatment. In addition, chalcone-1203 was found to exhibit significant oral activity in the FST in mice. It also produced a reduction in the ambulation in the open-field test in mice not previously habituated to the arena, but no effect in the locomotor activity in mice previously habituated to the open-field. The main monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in mouse brain regions were also simultaneously determined by HPLC–ECD. It was found that chalcone-1203 significantly increased the concentrations of the main neurotransmitters 5-HT and NE in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and cortex. Chalcone-1203 also significantly reduced the ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT in the hippocampus and cortex, shown down 5-HT metabolism compared with mice treated with stress vehicle. In conclusion, chalcone-1203 produced significant antidepressant-like activity, and the mechanism of action may be due to increased 5-HT and NE in the mouse hippocampus and cortex.     

二甲双胍对慢性应激大鼠抑郁行为的影响

目的:观察二甲双胍对慢性不可预测性温和应激大鼠抑郁行为的影响。方法:40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组(n=10):对照组(CON组)、二甲双胍组(MET组)、模型组(CUMS组)、模型+二甲双胍组(CUMS+MET组),采用慢性不可预测性温和应激(CUMS)方法,用3周时间建立大鼠抑郁模型。造模完成后,两个二甲双胍组腹腔注射二甲双胍(100mg/kg),对照组和模型组注射等量的生理盐水,每天1次,连续2周。之后检测大鼠体重增长变化、糖水嗜好、强迫游泳和悬尾不动实验、旷场实验等大鼠行为学的改变,采用尼氏染色观察大鼠海马形态结构变化。结果:与对照组比较,CUMS组大鼠体重增长明显减慢(P<0.05),糖水偏爱率明显降低(P<0.05),强迫游泳和悬尾不动实验中不动时间明显延长(P<0.05),旷场实验中自发活动明显减少(P<0.05),大鼠海马的形态结构有所变化,证实CUMS抑郁模型建立成功。与CUMS组比较,二甲双胍处理后对大鼠的体重无明显影响,但能明显改善CUMS抑郁模型大鼠的糖水摄入、不动时间和自发活动(P<0.05),并能修复CUMS大鼠海马的异常形态结构变化。结论:二甲双胍对CUMS诱导的大鼠抑郁行为具有明显的改善作用,为临床糖尿病并发抑郁症的患者提供新的治疗手段。     

Social isolation-induced aggression potentiates anxiety and depressive-like behavior in male mice subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress

Background

Accumulating epidemiological evidence shows that life event stressors are major vulnerability factors for psychiatric diseases such as major depression. It is also well known that social isolation in male mice results in aggressive behavior. However, it is not known how social isolation-induced aggression affects anxiety and depressive-like behavior in isolated male mice subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (CMS), an animal model of depression.

Methodology/Principal Findings

C57/B6 male mice were divided into 3 groups; non-stressed controls, in Group I; isolated mice subjected to the CMS protocol in Group II and aggression by physical contact in socially isolated mice subjected to the CMS protocol in Group III. In the sucrose intake test, ingestion of a 1% sucrose solution by mice in Groups II and III was significantly lower than in Group I. Furthermore, intake of this solution in Group III mice was significantly lower than in Group II mice. In the open field test, mice in Group III, showed reduced locomotor activity and reduced entry and retention time in the central zone, compared to Groups I and II mice. Moreover, the distances moved in 1 hour by Group III mice did not differ between night and morning. In the light/black box test, Groups II and III animals spent significantly less time in the light box compared to Group I animals. In the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST), the immobility times of Group II and Group III mice were significantly longer than in Group I mice. In addition, immobility times in the FST were significantly longer in Group III than in Group II mice.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings show that social isolation-induced aggression could potentiate anxiety and depressive -like behaviors in isolated male mice subjected to CMS.     

海马齿状回神经再生对WKY大鼠抑郁样行为的影响*

目的:观察海马齿状回(DG)神经再生对成年Wistar Kyoto(WKY)大鼠抑郁样行为的影响。方法:实验共分三个组(n = 10):①正常对照(Wistar)组:选取 9 周龄Wistar大鼠,给予生理盐水 3 周(10 mg/kg, 灌胃);②抑郁模型(WKY)组:选取同龄WKY大鼠并经行为学测定后筛选出抑郁大鼠作为抑郁模型组,给予生理盐水 3 周(10 mg/kg, 灌胃);③阳性对照(AMI+WKY)组:选取同龄WKY抑郁大鼠,给予阿米替林(AMI) 3 周(10 mg/kg, 灌胃)。选用免疫荧光染色细胞增殖标记物Ki67、未成熟神经元标志物DCX检测大鼠的海马神经再生水平;应用糖水偏好实验(SPT)、旷场实验(OFT)和强迫游泳实验(FST)检测各组大鼠的抑郁样行为学变化。结果:①WKY抑郁大鼠海马DG区细胞增殖标志物Ki67⁺细胞数和未成熟神经元标志物DCX⁺细胞数较Wistar大鼠分别降低了 33.0%(P＜0.01)和39.2%(P＜0.01);阿米替林给药后使抑郁大鼠海马DG区Ki67⁺细胞数和DCX⁺细胞数分别增加了43.8%(P＜0.01)和46.7%(P＜0.01)。②与Wistar大鼠相比,WKY抑郁大鼠糖水偏好程度明显降低(P＜ 0.01),旷场实验中运动总距离显著缩短(P＜0.01)和中心停留时间显著减少(P＜0.01),强迫游泳实验中不动时间明显延长(P＜ 0.01);阿米替林治疗可显著改善WKY大鼠的上述抑郁样行为。结论:①成年WKY抑郁大鼠的海马神经干细胞的增殖和分化能力较正常对照组显著降低,提示成年WKY抑郁大鼠的神经再生受损;②改善海马受损的神经再生可以部分逆转成年WKY大鼠的抑郁样行为。     

Antidepressant-like effect of mitragynine isolated from Mitragyna speciosa Korth in mice model of depression

Mitragyna speciosa Korth. leaves have been used for decades as a traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, diabetes and to improve blood circulation by natives of Malaysia, Thailand and other regions of Southeast Asia. Mitragynine is the major active alkaloid in the plant. To date, the role of mitragynine in psychological disorders such as depression is not scientifically evaluated. Hence, the present investigation evaluates the antidepressant effect of mitragynine in the mouse forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), two models predictive of antidepressant activity and the effect of mitragynine towards neuroendocrine system of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by measuring the corticosterone concentration of mice exposed to FST and TST. An open-field test (OFT) was used to detect any association of immobility in the FST and TST with changes in motor activity of mice treated with mitragynine. In the present study, mitragynine at dose of 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg i.p. injected significantly reduced the immobility time of mice in both FST and TST without any significant effect on locomotor activity in OFT. Moreover, mitragynine significantly reduced the released of corticosterone in mice exposed to FST and TST at dose of 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg. Overall, the present study clearly demonstrated that mitragynine exerts an antidepressant effect in animal behavioral model of depression (FST and TST) and the effect appears to be mediated by an interaction with neuroendocrine HPA axis systems.     

Intranasal Administration of Nerve Growth Factor Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects in Animals

Many works showed that nerve growth factor (NGF) injected into the brain of animal model emerges potential antidepressant effects. However, this route of administration significantly restricts the application of NGF clinically. Here, we reported that intranasal NGF could provide an alternative to intraventricular injection. The behavioral analysis showed that intranasal administration of NGF reduced the immobility time in forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Likewise, intranasal NGF increased the sucrose intake and the locomotor activity in rats after unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Furthermore, intranasal NGF increased the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, dopamine) in the frontal cortex and hippocampus and affected the number of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), c-fos and caspase-3 positive neurons in dentate gyrus of hippocampus in rats after UCMS. In summary, intranasal NGF had significant antidepressant effects on animal models of depression and this route of administration may provide a promising way to deliver NGF to brain in a therapeutic perspective.     

Fucoidan exerts antidepressant-like effects in mice via regulating the stability of surface AMPARs

The inflammatory hypothesis is one of the most important mechanisms of depression. Fucoidan is a bioactive sulfated polysaccharide abundant in brown seaweeds with anti-inflammatory activity. However, the antidepressant effects of fucoidan on chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviors have not been well elucidated. Here, we used two different depressive-like mouse models, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS) models, to explore the detailed molecular mechanism underlying its antidepressant-like effects in C57BL/6J mice by combining multiple behavioral, molecular and immunofluorescence experiments. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of caspase-1 and pharmacological inhibitors were also used to clarify the antidepressant mechanisms of fucoidan. We found that acute administration of fucoidan did not produce antidepressant effects in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). Interestingly, chronic fucoidan administration not only dose-dependently reduced stress-induced depressive-like behaviors in the TST, FST, sucrose preference test (SPT), and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT), but also alleviated the downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-dependent synaptic plasticity via inhibiting caspase-1-mediated inflammation in the hippocampus of mice. Moreover, fucoidan significantly ameliorated behavioral and synaptic plasticity abnormalities in the overexpression of caspase-1 in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, blocking BDNF abolished the antidepressant-like effects of fucoidan in mice. Therefore, our findings clearly indicate that fucoidan provides a potential supplementary noninvasive treatment for depression by inhibition of hippocampal inflammation.