Paecilomyces tenuipes extract prevents depression-like behaviors in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced rat model via modulation of neurotransmitters

Abstract

The medicinal fungus Paecilomyces tenuipes exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, including antidepressive effects. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)‑induced rat model has served an important role in studies involving antidepressants screening. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidepressant‑like activity of P. tenuipes N45 aqueous extract (PTNE) in a CUMS‑induced rat model of behavioral despair depression. Following 4 weeks of PTNE treatment, behavioral tests were conducted to investigate the antidepressant‑like activities, and the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones in blood and hypothalamus were measured. The results demonstrated that PTNE treatment significantly increased movement in the forced running test, whereas the immobility time was reduced in the hotplate test and the forced swim test in depression‑model rats. PTNE treatment was able to normalize the levels of hormones and neurotransmitters in serum and hypothalamus of CUMS rats. The data demonstrated that PTNE treatment may be a potential pharmaceutical agent in treatment‑resistant depression, and the effects of PTNE may be partly mediated through normalizing the levels of neurotransmitters.

Antidepressant-like activities of extracts of the fungus Paecilomyces tenuipes M98

“…Mice were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 10): Group CTRL (normal mice treated with physiological saline alone), Group DM (depression-like mice treated with physiological saline alone), Group Flu (depressionlike mice administrated 2.5 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride orally for 15 days), Group AE (depression-like mice administrated orally 2500, 250 and 50 mg/kg of alcohol extract daily), Group WE (depression-like mice administrated orally 2000, 200 and 40 mg/kg of water extract) following the protocol [13]. All mice received 21 days of administration (once a day).…”

Gsk3β aggravates the depression symptoms in chronic stress mouse model

“…At the end of each experiment, mice were removed from the water, dried using towels, and returned to normal temperature in warm air. The total immobility time of mice in the water was analyzed by video recording [14].…”

“…These results show that glycogen synthase kinase-3β may promote the progression of depression. Therefore, targeting glycogen synthase kinase-3β may be an effective therapeutic strategy.The chronic stress mouse model was produced via severe metamorphic stress [14,15]. The detailed procedure is illustrated in Fig.…”

“…The chronic stress mouse model was produced via severe metamorphic stress [14,15]. The detailed procedure is illustrated in Fig.…”

New Insights into Bioactive Compounds of Traditional Chinese Medicines for Insulin Resistance Based on Signaling Pathways

“…In recent years, phytotherapy has become an attractive strategy in the treatment of many diseases . Previous studies found that many bioactive ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) could alleviate insulin resistance through various mechanisms.…”