Involvement of the Cerebral Monoamine Neurotransmitters System in Antidepressant-Like Effects of a Chinese Herbal Decoction, Baihe Dihuang Tang, in Mice Model

Abstract

Baihe Dihuang Tang (BDT) is a renowned Chinese herbal formula which is commonly used for treating patients with mental instability, absentmindedness, insomnia, deficient dysphoria, and other psychological diseases. These major symptoms closely associated with the depressive disorders. BDT was widely popular use for treating emotion-thought disorders for many years in China. In the present study, the antidepressant-like effect of BDT in mice was investigated by using the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). The underlying mechanism was explored by determining the effect of BDT on the level of cerebral monoamine neurotransmitters. BDT (9 and 18 g/kg, p.o. for 14 days) administration significantly reduced the immobility time in both the FST and the TST without changing locomotion in the open field-test (OFT). Moreover, BDT treatment at the dose of 18 g/kg inhibited reserpine-induced ptosis. Meanwhile, BDT enhanced 5-HT and NA levels in mouse cerebrum as well as decreased the ratio of 5-HT compared to its metabolite, 5-HIAA, (turnover, 5-HIAA/5-HT) after TST. The results demonstrated that the antidepressant-like effect of BDT is mediated, at least partially, via the central monoaminergic neurotransmitter system.

Antidepressant mechanism of classical herbal formula lily bulb and Rehmannia decoction: insights from gene expression profile of medial prefrontal cortex of mice with stress‐induced depression‐like behavior

“…To study the relationship between the antidepressant‐like effect of LBRD standard decoction and those mechanisms, the levels of neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors in the mPFC were detected in mice with CUMS‐induced depression‐like behavior. In the present study, it was found that the levels of 5‐HT, NE, DA, GABA and Glu in the mPFC of mice significantly decreased after CUMS, whereas those of CORT, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α increased, which was consistent with the results of previous studies . This alteration can be markedly reversed in the mPFC of mice with depression through LBRD standard decoction intervention (Figure ).…”

“…The LBRD formula has been applied for mental instability, dysphoria, absent‐mindedness and other mental disorders for thousands of years . Currently, in China, LBRD is often used alone or in combination with chemical drugs, which is regarded as an effective method for depression therapy.…”

Schisandrin B exerts hypnotic effects in PCPA‑treated rats by increasing hypothalamic 5‑HT and γ‑aminobutyric acid levels

“…5-HIAA is associated with analgesia and sleep. Previous studies have revealed that in animal models of insomnia or sleep deprivation, 5-HIAA levels decrease with those of 5-HT (27,28). The HTR1A gene encodes the 5-HT1A receptor, the latter of which binds to the free form of 5-HT in the synaptic space, thus mediating 5-HT function, increasing its nervous system activity and promoting sleep (29).…”

Ziziphi spinosae lily powder suspension in the treatment of depression-like behaviors in rats

“…Li Shizhen also pointed out in his book Ben cao gang mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) that lily bulb had sedative effect for depressive disorder patients [ 22 ]. Extract of lily bulb selected from ethno botanical survey was reported to inhibit MAO in rats, similar to the effect of antidepressant MAO inhibitors [ 23 , 24 ]. A new herbal treatment composed of lily bulb exhibited anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in mice [ 24 – 26 ].…”