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Nasseri S, Hajrasouliha S, Vaseghi S, Ghorbani Yekta B. Interaction effect of crocin and citalopram on memory and locomotor activity in rats: an insight into BDNF and synaptophysin levels in the hippocampus. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:6879-6888. [PMID: 38568290 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03069-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used drugs for the treatment of depression. Citalopram is one of the most prescribed SSRIs that is useful for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders. On the other hand, crocin (active constitute of saffron) has pro-cognitive and mood enhancer effects. Also, both citalopram and crocin affect the function and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptophysin, two molecular factors that are involved in cognitive functions and mood. In the present study, we aim to investigate the interaction effect of citalopram and crocin on rats' performance in the open field test (locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior) and the shuttle box (passive avoidance memory). Citalopram was injected at the doses of 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg, and crocin was injected at the dose of 50 mg/kg; all administrations were intraperitoneal. Real-time PCR was used to assess the expression level of BDNF and synaptophysin in the hippocampus. The results showed that citalopram (30 and 50 mg/kg) impaired passive avoidance memory and decreased BDNF and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus, while crocin reversed memory impairment, and BDNF and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus of rats received citalopram 30 mg/kg. Also, crocin partially showed these effects in rats that received citalopram 50 mg/kg. The results of the open field test were unchanged. In conclusion, we suggested that BDNF and synaptophysin may be involved in the effects of both citalopram and crocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samineh Nasseri
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadi Hajrasouliha
- Herbal Pharmacology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Batool Ghorbani Yekta
- Herbal Pharmacology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Kamaei AK, Hosseini SF, Teimourparsaei P, Payamani M, Vaseghi S. The effect of acute crocin on behavioral changes and BDNF expression level in socially isolated rats. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:3929-3944. [PMID: 37987792 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02843-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation is a reliable method used for the induction of depression and psychiatric disorders in rodents. It has been suggested that social isolation can lead to hyperlocomotion, as a schizophrenic-like symptom in rodents. On the other hand, crocin (the major constituent of Crocus sativus) induces a wide-range of neuroprotective and mood enhancer effects. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of acute crocin on social isolation-induced behavioral changes and BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Novelty-suppressed feeding test, open field test, marble burying test, hot plate, forced swim test, and the shuttle box were used to assess anxiety-like behavior, locomotor activity, obsessive-compulsive-like (OCD-like) behavior, pain threshold, depressive-like behavior, and passive avoidance memory, respectively. Real-time PCR was used to assess BDNF hippocampal expression level. The results showed that social isolation decreased anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, pain threshold, and BDNF expression, and induced OCD-like behavior and hyperlocomotion. Crocin dose-dependently restored the effect of social isolation on pain threshold, locomotor activity, depressive-like behavior, OCD-like behavior, and BDNF expression. Passive avoidance memory performance was also unaffected. In conclusion, we showed a hyperlocomotion profile and OCD-like behaviors, and a robust decrease in pain threshold in socially isolated rats. It can be suggested that social isolation from adolescence induces a "hyperlocomotion state" that affects all the behavioral functions of rats. Also, the function of BDNF can be related to a hyperlocomotion state and OCD-like symptom. It seems that BDNF expression level can be related to the therapeutic effect of crocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir-Kamyar Kamaei
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, P.O. Box: 1419815477, Karaj, Iran
| | - Seyedeh-Fatemeh Hosseini
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, P.O. Box: 1419815477, Karaj, Iran
| | - Parisa Teimourparsaei
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, P.O. Box: 1419815477, Karaj, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Payamani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, P.O. Box: 1419815477, Karaj, Iran.
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
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Chen Y, Guan W, Wang ML, Lin XY. PI3K-AKT/mTOR Signaling in Psychiatric Disorders: A Valuable Target to Stimulate or Suppress? Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 27:pyae010. [PMID: 38365306 PMCID: PMC10888523 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Economic development and increased stress have considerably increased the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in recent years, which rank as some of the most prevalent diseases globally. Several factors, including chronic social stress, genetic inheritance, and autogenous diseases, lead to the development and progression of psychiatric disorders. Clinical treatments for psychiatric disorders include psychotherapy, chemotherapy, and electric shock therapy. Although various achievements have been made researching psychiatric disorders, the pathogenesis of these diseases has not been fully understood yet, and serious adverse effects and resistance to antipsychotics are major obstacles to treating patients with psychiatric disorders. Recent studies have shown that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central signaling hub that functions in nerve growth, synapse formation, and plasticity. The PI3K-AKT/mTOR pathway is a critical target for mediating the rapid antidepressant effects of these pharmacological agents in clinical and preclinical research. Abnormal PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling is closely associated with the pathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we focused on the role of mTOR signaling and the related aberrant neurogenesis in psychiatric disorders. Elucidating the neurobiology of the PI3K-AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in psychiatric disorders and its actions in response to antidepressants will help us better understand brain development and quickly identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of these mental illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mei-Lan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Lin
- Department of Neurology, Nantong Third People’s Hospital, Affiliated Nantong Hospital 3 of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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Zhang J, Li W, Yue Q, Liu L, Hou ST, Ju J. Rapamycin Exerts an Antidepressant Effect and Enhances Myelination in the Prefrontal Cortex of Chronic Restraint Stress Mice. Neuroscience 2023; 535:99-107. [PMID: 37926147 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Depressive disorder is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by the core symptoms of anhedonia and learned helplessness. Myelination loss was recently found in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of patients with depression and animal models, but the mechanism of this loss is unclear. In our previous study, chronic restraint stress (CRS) mice showed depressive-like symptoms. In this study, we found that myelin was reduced in the PFC of CRS mice. We also observed increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation levels in the PFC. Chronic injections of rapamycin, a mTOR complex inhibitor, prevented depressive behavior as shown by the forced swimming test and sucrose preference test. Rapamycin also increased myelination in the PFC of CRS mice. In summary, we found that CRS enhanced mTOR signaling and reduced myelination in the PFC and that rapamycin could prevent it. Our study provides the etiology of reduced myelin in depressive symptoms and suggests that mTOR signaling could be a target for treating depression or improving myelination deficits in depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weifen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qi Yue
- Brain Research Centre and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Luping Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Sheng-Tao Hou
- Brain Research Centre and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jun Ju
- Brain Research Centre and Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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Mohammadi S, Naseri M, Faridi N, Zareie P, Zare L, Mirnajafi-Zadeh J, Bathaie SZ. Saffron carotenoids reversed the UCMS-induced depression and anxiety in rats: Behavioral and biochemical parameters, and hippocampal BDNF/ERK/CREB and NR2B signaling markers. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 119:154989. [PMID: 37506574 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a debilitating condition that affects the mind and the individual's body. The improving effects of saffron on depression and anxiety have long been discussed, with limited information about the molecular mechanism of action. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE Investigating the effect of saffron carotenoids, Crocin and Crocetin, on depression and anxiety in rats by emphasizing some signaling pathways involved. STUDY DESIGN Depression and anxiety were induced in rats via unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Then different rat groups were treated with Crocin, Crocetin, Fluoxetine, and vehicle. Behavioral tests were done before and after treatment. METHODS The serum Serotonin and Corticosterone and the expression of some hippocampal signaling proteins were studied. Furthermore, bioinformatics tools were used to predict the interactions of Crocin/ Crocetin with the Serotonin transporter and NMDA receptor subunit NR2B. Then, the patch-clamp was used to study the interaction of Crocetin with the NMDA receptor. RESULTS Various behavioral tests confirmed the induction of depression and the improvement of depression by these natural carotenoids. In addition, Crocin/ Crocetin significantly increased the decreased serum Serotonin and reduced the increased serum Corticosterone in the depressed groups. They also increased or caused a trend of increase in the CREB, ERK, BAD, BDNF, p11, and 5-HT1B expression in the hippocampus of the depressed groups. In addition, there were an increase or a trend in p-CREB/CREB, p-ERK1/2 /ERK1/2, and p-BAD/BAD ratios in the Crocin/ Crocetin treated depressed groups. However, the NR2B and FOXO3a expression showed a trend of decrease in depressed groups after treatment. The bioinformatics data indicated that Crocin/ Crocetin could bind to the Serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor. Both carotenoids bind to the same site as Fluoxetine in the SLC6A4. However, they bound to different sites on the NR2B. So, Crocetin binds to NR2B at the same site as Ifenprodil. But Crocin bound to another site. The whole cell patch-clamp recording on the normal rat hippocampus revealed a significant decrease in the NMDA peak amplitude after Crocetin treatment, indicating its inhibitory effect on this receptor. CONCLUSION The antidepressant activities of Crocin/ Crocetin are possibly due to their effects on Serotonin and Corticosterone serum concentrations, NR2B expression, and the downstream signaling pathways. Furthermore, these natural carotenoids, like Fluoxetine, induced an increasing tendency in p11 and 5HT1B in depressed rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Mohammadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Naseri
- Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nassim Faridi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Zareie
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Zare
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Mirnajafi-Zadeh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Zahra Bathaie
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; Institute for Natural Products and Medicinal Plants, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran; UCLA-DOE Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
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Gou L, Li Y, Liu S, Sang H, Lan J, Chen J, Wang L, Li C, Lian B, Zhang X, Sun H, Sun L. (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine improves PTSD-associated behaviors and structural plasticity via modulating BDNF-mTOR signaling in the nucleus accumbens. J Affect Disord 2023; 335:129-140. [PMID: 37137411 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness caused by either experiencing or observing a traumatic event that is perceived to pose a serious risk to one's life. (2R,6R)-HNK has an alleviating effect on negative emotions, nevertheless, the mechanism of (2R,6R)-HNK action is unclear. METHODS In this study, the single prolonged stress and electric foot shock (SPS&S) method was used to establish a rat model of PTSD. After determining the validity of the model, (2R,6R)-HNK was administered to the NAc by microinjection using a concentration gradient of 10, 50, and 100 μM, and the effects of the drug in the SPS&S rat model were evaluated. Moreover, our study measured changes in related proteins in the NAc (BDNF, p-mTOR/mTOR, and PSD95) and synaptic ultrastructure. RESULTS In the SPS&S group, the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and PSD95 was reduced and synaptic morphology was damaged in the NAc. In contrast, after the administration of 50 μM (2R,6R)-HNK, SPS&S-treated rats improved their exploration and depression-linked behavior, while protein levels and synaptic ultrastructure were also restored in the NAc. With the administration of 100 μM (2R,6R)-HNK, locomotor behavior, and social interaction improved in the PTSD model. LIMITATIONS The mechanism of BDNF-mTOR signaling after (2R,6R)-HNK administration was not explored. CONCLUSION (2R,6R)-HNK may ameliorate negative mood and social avoidance symptoms in PTSD rats by regulating BDNF/mTOR-mediated synaptic structural plasticity in the NAc, providing new targets for the development of anti-PTSD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Gou
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Yu Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Shiqi Liu
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Haohan Sang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Jiajun Lan
- School of Clinical Medical, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Jinhong Chen
- College of Extended Education, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Clinical Competency Training Center, Medical Experiment and Training Center, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, China
| | - Changjiang Li
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Bo Lian
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Xianqiang Zhang
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China.
| | - Lin Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, 7166# Baotong West Street, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China.
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Abdelmeguid NE, Hammad TM, Abdel-Moneim AM, Salam SA. Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Stress-Induced Depression in a Mouse Model: Role of Interleukin-1β and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:3464-3475. [PMID: 35939172 PMCID: PMC9546794 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03707-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) is a natural polyphenolic antioxidant in green tea leaves with well-known health-promoting properties. However, the influence of EGCG on a chronic animal model of depression remains to be fully investigated, and the details of the molecular and cellular changes are still unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of EGCG in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After eight consecutive weeks of CUMS, the mice were treated with EGCG (200 mg/kg b.w.) by oral gavage for two weeks. A forced swimming test (FST) was used to assess depressive symptoms. EGCG administration significantly alleviated CUMS-induced depression-like behavior in mice. EGCG also effectively decreased serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and increased the mRNA expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal CA3 region of CUMS mice. Furthermore, electron microscopic examination of CA3 neurons in CUMS mice showed morphological features of apoptosis, loss or disruption of the myelin sheath, and degenerating synapses. These neuronal injuries were diminished with the administration of EGCG. The treatment effect of EGCG in CUMS-induced behavioral alterations was comparable with that of clomipramine hydrochloride (Anafranil), a tricyclic antidepressant drug. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the antidepressive action of EGCG involves downregulation of serum IL-1β, upregulation of BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus, and reduction of CA3 neuronal lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabila E Abdelmeguid
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt
| | - Tasneem M Hammad
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ashraf M Abdel-Moneim
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt
| | - Sherine Abdel Salam
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt.
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