Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction improves depressive symptoms in model rats via amelioration of BDNF-CREB-arginase I axis disorders

Taohong Siwu decoction alleviates cognitive impairment by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis signaling pathway in vascular dementia rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used for the treatment of vascular diseases, including vascular dementia (VD). However, the mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to investigate whether TSD has a positive effect on cognitive impairment in VD rats and to confirm that the mechanism of action is related to the Endoplasmic Reticulum stress (ERs) and cell apoptosis signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated group (Sham), the two-vessel occlusion group (2VO), the 2VO treated with 4.5 g/kg/d TSD group (2VO + TSD-L), the 2VO treated with 13.5 g/kg/d TSD group (2VO + TSD-H). The rats underwent either 2VO surgery or sham surgery. Postoperative TSD treatment was given for 4 consecutive weeks. Behavioral tests were initiated at the end of gastrulation. Open-field test (OFT) was used to detect the activity level. The New Object Recognition test (NOR) was used to test long-term memory. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to examine the foundation of spatial learning and memory. As a final step, the hippocampus was taken for molecular testing. The protein levels of GRP78 (Bip), p-PERK, PERK, IRE1α, p-IRE1α, ATF6, eIF2α, p-eIF2α, ATF4, XBP1, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. Immunofluorescence visualizes molecular expression.

RESULTS

In the OFT, residence time in the central area was significantly longer in both TSD treatment groups compared to the 2VO group. In the NOR, the recognition index was obviously elevated in both TSD treatment groups. The 2VO group had a significantly longer escape latency and fewer times in crossing the location of the platform compared with the Sham group in MWM. TSD treatment reversed this notion. Pathologically, staining observations confirmed that TSD inhibited hippocampal neuronal loss and alleviated the abnormal reduction of the Nissl body. In parallel, TUNEL staining illustrated that TSD decelerated neuronal apoptosis. Western Blot demonstrated that TSD reduces the expression of ERs and apoptotic proteins.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the significant ameliorative effect on cognitive impairment of TSD has been determined by comparing the behavioral data of the 4 groups of rats. Furthermore, it was confirmed that this effect of TSD was achieved by suppressing the ERs-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway.

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for post-stroke depression: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

It is a well-established fact that post-stroke depression (PSD) is a prevalent condition that affects a significant proportion of individuals who have suffered a stroke. Hence, our research endeavors to explore the safety, efficacy and the potential molecular mechanism of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) for the treatment of depression in PSD patients by conducting a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized trial.

METHODS

Patients who had experienced strokes and exhibited depressive symptoms, with a Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) score of ≥8 and met the DSM-IV criteria, were diagnosed with PSD. A volunteer sample of participants (N = 80) were randomly divided into either the ta-VNS group (which received ta-VNS in addition to conventional treatment) or the control group (which received conventional treatment only), in a 1:1 ratio. The effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Barthel Index (BI) scores. Furthermore, Plasma BDNF, CREB1, and 5-HT levels were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The concomitant application of ta-VNS demonstrated a remarkable reduction in HAMD-17 and SDS scores, leading to noteworthy enhancements in patients' daily functioning, as evidenced by improved activities of daily living, at all assessed time points, in contrast to the control group (p < 0.0001). Notably, the ta-VNS group exhibited superior effects in modulating the measured neurotrophic biomarkers when compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The synergistic approach of combining ta-VNS with conventional treatment has demonstrated remarkable efficacy and tolerability in managing depression following a stroke.