The Antidepressant Effect of Angelica sinensis Extracts on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress‐Induced Depression Is Mediated via the Upregulation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway in Rats

Abstract

Angelica sinensis (AS), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has pharmaceutical effects on menstrual illness, cerebrovascular diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cognitive impairments. However, until recently, few studies had explored its antidepressant effect. The current study attempts to investigate the effect of AS extracts on chronic unpredictable mild stress- (CUMS-) induced depression in rats. Male SD rats were exposed to a CUMS-inducing procedure for 5 weeks, resulting in rodent depressive behaviors that included reduced sucrose consumption and lessened sucrose preference ratios in sucrose preference test, prolonged immobility times and decreased struggling time in force swim test, and decreased locomotor activity in open field test. Moreover, the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK 1/2) were markedly decreased in the hippocampus in depressed rats. However, chronically treating the depressed rats with AS (1 g/kg) normalized their depression-related behaviors and molecular profiles. In conclusion, in the present study, we show that AS extracts exerted antidepressant effects that were mediated by the BDNF signaling pathway: in AS-treated depressed rats, the expression of the BDNF protein and the phosphorylation of its downstream targets (ERK 1/2, CREB) were upregulated in the hippocampus.

BDNF‐TrkB pathway mediates antidepressant‐like roles of H2S in diabetic rats via promoting hippocampal autophagy

“…It has been reported that the level of BDNF is decreased in the hippocampus of type 2 diabetic rats . Elevated expression of BDNF in the hippocampus contributes to the antidepressant‐like effect of Angelica sinensis extracts on CUMS‐induced rats . Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that activation of the TrkB receptor contributes to the therapeutic actions of antidepressant drugs .…”

“…30 Elevated expression of BDNF in the hippocampus contributes to the antidepressant-like effect of Angelica sinensis extracts on CUMS-induced rats. 31 Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that activation of the TrkB receptor contributes to the therapeutic actions of antidepressant drugs. 32,33 In the present work, we found that NaHS increased the expression levels of BDNF and p-TrkB in the hippocampus of STZ-induced diabetic rats.…”

Is there a role for Western herbal medicine in treating cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort?

“…What we do know from preclinical data for Angelica, that may be relevant to CPPD treatment, includes a potential for anti‐inflammatory activity, 11 for reducing stress or depression via a brain neurotrophic factor, for normalising blood cell profiles, as a progesterone antagonist reducing heavy bleeding and to alter mood and relax muscles through γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)minergic and serotonergic receptor sites . Putative phytoestrogenic activity may also mimic reproductive hormone therapy .…”

“…Putative phytoestrogenic activity may also mimic reproductive hormone therapy . However, Angelica 's anticoagulant properties contra‐indicate its use in heavy periods . As for Paeonia , it has been shown to have potential antidepressant activity, raising serotonin and dopamine levels, through inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity and it may also relieve dysmenorrhoea through analgesic and anti‐inflammatory properties, inhibiting both leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 production …”

Antidepressant-like effects of Marasmius androsaceus metabolic exopolysaccharides on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced rat model

“…Following all testing experiments, blood (0.8-1.0 ml) was obtained from the caudal vein of each rat. Rats were then sacrificed, and the hypothalamus was collected (19), weighed and stored at -80˚C for further experiments.…”