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

Abstract

Schisandrin B (SchB) is one of the primary active components of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., a traditional Chinese herb that has been used to treat insomnia for hundreds of years. Our previous studies revealed that SchB exerts sedative and hypnotic effects, increasing the content of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the expression of its receptors in the brain tissues of rats. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is another important neurotransmitter involved in sleep regulation, although, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of its association with SchB. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether the hypnotic effect of SchB was partly due to alterations in the expression of 5-HT. The results indicated that SchB reduced sleep latency and increased sleep duration in parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced rats with insomnia by increasing 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and upregulating the expression of the 5-HT receptor 1A in the hypothalamus. SchB also increased the ratio of GABA to glutamic acid and the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase, decreased the activity of GABA transaminase, and upregulated the expression of GABA A receptor α1 and GABA A receptor γ2 in the rat hypothalamus. These results suggested that SchB improved PCPA-induced insomnia in rats, and its effects may be associated with the regulation of GABA and 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus.

Sophora flavescens alcohol extract ameliorates insomnia and promotes PI3K/AKT/BDNF signaling transduction in insomnia model rats

“…According to previous reports with minor modification [24,25], the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) in the hypothalamus of all rats were evaluated using ELISA under the help of the 5-HT ELISA kit (ER1463, FineTest, Wuhan, China), 5-HIAA ELISA kit (EU2582, FineTest), NE ELISA kit (EU2565, FineTest), and DA ELISA kit (EU0392, FineTest). In brief, 50 μL hypothalamus homogenate samples, standard samples, or blank samples were added into the well, followed by the addition of 50 μL biotin-labeled antibody working solution for 45 min of incubation at 37 °C.…”

Para-Chlorophenyl Alanine Induces Aggressive Behavior by Serotonin Depletion in Male Rats and Increases Tryptophan Hydroxylase two and GABAA α1 mRNA Expression in the Olfactory Bulb

“…Remarkably, the presence of GABAA receptor subunit α1mRNA in the OB has been described [34] and is the most common GABAAα subunit in adult rodent neurons [35]. In addition, it has been reported that 5-HT depletion could affect GABAA receptor expression in different brain areas [36,37]. We aimed to evaluate aggressive behavior and serotonergic activity in the OB, TPH2, and GABAA α1 mRNA expression in the OB after a single pCPA i.p administration in male rats.…”

In Silico Analysis, Anticonvulsant Activity, and Toxicity Evaluation of Schisandrin B in Zebrafish Larvae and Mice

“…In the present study, we investigate the potential anticonvulsant properties of schisandrin B using zebrafish larvae and mouse pentyleneterazole (PTZ) seizure tests. Schisandrin B ( Figure 1 ) is one of the main active compounds of Schisandra chinensis —a traditional Chinese herb used for thousands of years to treat some neurobehavioral disorders, including insomnia and dysphoria [ 11 , 12 ]. The experimental studies confirmed the previously known traditional curative properties of Schisandra chinensis extracts [ 12 , 13 ] and demonstrated other biological activities, i.e., anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties [ 14 ], and possibilities for the medicinal use of this plant and its constituents in the treatment of some neurodegenerative diseases.…”

“…Schisandrin B ( Figure 1 ) is one of the main active compounds of Schisandra chinensis —a traditional Chinese herb used for thousands of years to treat some neurobehavioral disorders, including insomnia and dysphoria [ 11 , 12 ]. The experimental studies confirmed the previously known traditional curative properties of Schisandra chinensis extracts [ 12 , 13 ] and demonstrated other biological activities, i.e., anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor properties [ 14 ], and possibilities for the medicinal use of this plant and its constituents in the treatment of some neurodegenerative diseases. Extracts of Schisandra chinensis fruits improved cognition and learning abilities, prevented some pathological changes in the brain of mice with an intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-β 1–42 (Aβ 1–42 ) [ 15 , 16 ].…”