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Pan SM, Yin XY, Dai DM, Zhang LW, Qi Q, Wang PJ, Hui L, Zhu ZH. Unraveling the potential of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides as an adjuvant of escitalopram in depression treatment and exploring the underlying mechanisms. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 328:118124. [PMID: 38556138 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118124] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHAMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides (MOs) is a mixture of oligosaccharides extracted from the roots of Morinda officinalis (MO). It is approved by Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for depression treatment. MOs could improve the antidepressant efficacy of escitalopram in clinic. AIM OF THE STUDY We aim to explore the antidepressant activity and potential mechanism of the combination usage of MOs and escitalopram on animal model of depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Depressive animal model was induced by chronic mild stress (CMS). Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of MOs and escitalopram. Serum neurotransmitter levels were detected by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were applied to assay the hippocampus neurotrophic factors' mRNA and protein levels. Peripheral cytokines levels were measured through Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Micorglia polization phenotype was assayed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. RESULTS MOs and escitalopram obviously attenuated depression-like behaviors of CMS mice. Importantly, MOs plus escitalopram exhibited better antidepressant activity on CMS mice than monotherapy. At the same time, MOs combined escitalopram treatment significantly increased hippocampus neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factor levels, stimulated hippocampus neurogenesis and relieved central nervous system (CNS) microglia over-activation of CMS mice. The combination therapy had greater effect on neuroprotection and inflammation attenuation of CMS mice than monotherapy. CONCLUSION Our results indicates MOs combined escitalopram might produce antidepressant activity through protecting neuron activity, relieving inflammation and modulating microglia polarization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Man Pan
- Department of Pharmacy, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xu-Yuan Yin
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Dong-Mei Dai
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, PR China
| | - Li-Wan Zhang
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, PR China
| | - Qi Qi
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Pei-Jie Wang
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Li Hui
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Zhen-Hua Zhu
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, Suzhou Guangji Hospital, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215137, Jiangsu, PR China.
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Gong G, Ganesan K, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Wang J, Yang F, Zheng Y. Ononin ameliorates depression-like behaviors by regulating BDNF-TrkB-CREB signaling in vitro and in vivo. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 320:117375. [PMID: 37944872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117375] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ononin is a flavonoid compound found in several medicinal plants, including Astragalus membranaceus, Sophora flavescens, and Ononis spinosa. These plants have been traditionally used in various parts of the world for their medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects. Major depression is a common, long-lasting, and recurrent psychiatric disorder with a high suicide rate. Naturally occurring flavonoids treat depression via poorly understood mechanisms. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aimed to determine whether ononin conferred an antidepressant-like effect in PC12 cell models and chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depressive rat models and to explore its possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Depression-related behaviors were measured using sucrose preference, tail suspension and open-field tests. Furthermore, to explore these mechanisms, we employed in vitro and in vivo assay methods, including neurite outgrowth, western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, and staining methods. RESULTS Treatment with ononin or BDNF significantly increased PC12 cells' neuronal growth and differentiation. Furthermore, ononin promotes the activation of TrkB and growth factors and upregulates the PI3K/Akt and BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathways. The in vitro results were consistent with CMS-induced depressive rat models, in which ononin treatment significantly decreased depression-like behaviors and activated TrkB, growth factors, and BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathways in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Depression-induced microscopic alterations in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats with CMS-induced depression were also mitigated following ononin treatment. CONCLUSION Based on these findings, we suggest that ononin is a promising antidepressant candidate for treating depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai Campus, Zhuhai, 519041, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, 521041, Guangdong, China
| | - Kumar Ganesan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, Jilin, China
| | - Zhenxia Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, 521041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaqun Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, 521041, Guangdong, China
| | - Junli Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, China
| | - Fenglian Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuzhong Zheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Functional Substances in Medicinal Edible Resources and Healthcare Products, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, 521041, Guangdong, China; School of Pharmacy, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, 533000, Guangxi, China; Guangdong East Drug and Food & Health Branch, Chaozhou, Guangdong 521041, China.
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Li H, Zhao M, Jiang C, Zhao H, Wu C, Li Y, Zhang S, Xu P, Mou T, Xu Y, Huang M. Elevated Plasma Levels of Mature Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Major Depressive Disorder Patients with Higher Suicidal Ideation. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1223. [PMID: 37626579 PMCID: PMC10452535 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13081223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Several pieces of evidence show that signaling via brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomycin receptor kinase B (TrkB), as well as inflammation, play a crucial part in the pathophysiology of depression. The purpose of our study was to evaluate plasma levels of BDNF-TrkB signaling, which are inflammatory factors in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, and assess their associations with clinical performance. This study recruited a total sample of 83 MDD patients and 93 healthy controls (CON). All the participants were tested with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. The plasma level of selected BDNF-TrkB signaling components (mature BDNF (mBDNF), precursor BDNF (proBDNF), tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)) and selected inflammatory factors (interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Further, we performed correlation analysis to indicate the relationship between the plasma levels of the factors and clinical characteristics. Results: (i) A higher level of mBDNF and lower openness were observed in MDD patients with higher suicidal ideation than patients with lower suicidal ideation. (ii) In MDD patients, mBDNF was positively correlated with the sum score of the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). (iii) The levels of mBDNF, tPA, IL-1 β and IL-6 were significantly higher in all MDD subjects compared to the healthy controls, while the levels of TrkB and proBDNF were lower in MDD subjects. Conclusion: Our study provides novel insights regarding the potential role of mBDNF in the neurobiology of the association between depression and suicidal ideation and, in particular, the relationship between BDNF-TrkB signaling, inflammatory factors, and clinical characteristics in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haimei Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Miaomiao Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Chaonan Jiang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Haoyang Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Congchong Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Shiyi Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Pengfeng Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Tingting Mou
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Manli Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (H.L.); (M.Z.); (C.J.); (H.Z.); (C.W.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.); (P.X.); (T.M.); (Y.X.)
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder Management in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Center for Mathematical Mental Health, Hangzhou 310003, China
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Postsynaptic Proteins at Excitatory Synapses in the Brain—Relationship with Depressive Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911423. [PMID: 36232725 PMCID: PMC9569598 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive disorders (DDs) are an increasingly common health problem that affects all age groups. DDs pathogenesis is multifactorial. However, it was proven that stress is one of the most important environmental factors contributing to the development of these conditions. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the role of the glutamatergic system in the context of pharmacotherapy of DDs. Thus, it has become increasingly important to explore the functioning of excitatory synapses in pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of psychiatric disorders (including DDs). This knowledge may lead to the description of new mechanisms of depression and indicate new potential targets for the pharmacotherapy of illness. An excitatory synapse is a highly complex and very dynamic structure, containing a vast number of proteins. This review aimed to discuss in detail the role of the key postsynaptic proteins (e.g., NMDAR, AMPAR, mGluR5, PSD-95, Homer, NOS etc.) in the excitatory synapse and to systematize the knowledge about changes that occur in the clinical course of depression and after antidepressant treatment. In addition, a discussion on the potential use of ligands and/or modulators of postsynaptic proteins at the excitatory synapse has been presented.
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