The effect of Schisandra chinensis extracts on depression by noradrenergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in the forced swim test in mice

Abstract

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., as a Chinese functional food, has been widely used in neurological disorders including insomnia and Alzheimer's disease. The treatment of classical neuropsychiatric disorder depression is to be developed from Schisandra chinensis. The antidepressant-like effects of the Schisandra chinensis extracts (SCE), and their probable involvement in the serotonergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems were investigated by the forced swim test (FST). Acute administration of SCE (600 mg kg(-1), i.g.), a combination of SCE (300 mg kg(-1), i.g.) and reboxetine (a noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor, 2.5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or imipramine (a TCA, 2 mg kg(-1), i.p.) reduced the immobility time in the FST. Pretreatment with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride (DSP-4, a selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, 50 mg kg(-1), i.p., 4 days), haloperidol (a non-selective D2 receptor antagonist, 0.2 mg kg(-1), i.p.), SCH 23390 (a selective D1 receptor antagonist, 0.03 mg kg(-1), i.p.), bicuculline (a competitive GABA antagonist, 4 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA, an agonist at the glutamate site, 75 mg kg(-1), i.p.) effectively reversed the antidepressant-like effect of SCE (600 mg kg(-1), i.g.). However, p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA, an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis, 100 mg kg(-1), i.p., 4 days,) did not eliminate the reduced immobility time induced by SCE (600 mg kg(-1), i.g.). Moreover, the treatments did not change the locomotor activity. Altogether, these results indicated that SCE produced antidepressant-like activity, which might be mediated by the modification of noradrenergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems.

The effect of beta-sitosterol and its derivatives on depression by the modification of 5-HT, DA and GABA-ergic systems in mice

“…We know that the co-administration of antidepressant drugs may display a stronger effect or faster onset speed than single drug treatment. 22 In the present study, the results demonstrated that Sit-S and uoxetine, as well as Sit-S and reboxetine, displayed synergistic effects in combination. Effect of co-treatment of Sit-S with agomelatine, haloperidol and bicuculline on the 5-HT, DA and GABA levels in the brains of mice exposed to the TST.…”

Huanglian‐Jie‐Du‐Tang Extract Ameliorates Depression‐Like Behaviors through BDNF‐TrkB‐CREB Pathway in Rats with Chronic Unpredictable Stress

“…The decrease of total traveled distance, central distance ratio, and central time in OFT indicate a lower desire to explore, which may mimic psychomotor retardation [24]. Additionally, the low levels of rearing in OFT, and the increased immobility time in FST are often used as indices of a despair state [25, 26]. The rats exhibited improvement of depressive-like behaviors in OFT and in FST after HJDT or paroxetine treatments.…”

Schisandrae Fructus Reduces Symptoms of 4‐Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide‐Induced Ovarian Failure in Mice

“…Sour and salty components are believed to have good effects on the liver and testicles, bitter and stringent ones are believed to have good effects on the heart and lungs, and sweet component is believed to have good effects on the stomach [22]. In addition, numerous clinical trials have reported the efficacy of SF in conditions such as cough, dyspnea, dysentery, insomnia, amnesia, tumor, CNS, and cardiotonic disorder [18, 50, 51]. In Korea, SF is used in various herbal prescriptions for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, including Pheongbojinsimdan, Gamiondamtang, and Insugsan [18].…”