Prevention of seminal vesicle damage by Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens seed extract in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice

Atractylenolide I Suppresses A1 Astrocyte Activation to Improve Depression in Mice

This work aimed to investigate the role of atractylenolide I (ATR) in resisting depression and its mechanism of action. The mouse model of depression was constructed through chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) method. After ATR intervention, changes in the depression-related behaviors of mice were detected through open field test and elevated plus maze. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect inflammatory factor levels. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to measure the mRNA levels of A1/A2 astrocyte markers. Furthermore, primary astrocytes were induced in vitro, and the A1 differentiation level was detected by ELISA and RT-qPCR assays. ATR improved the behaviors of CUMS mice and alleviated the depression symptoms. Moreover, it reduced tissue inflammation, inhibited the A1 differentiation of astrocytes, and decreased the mRNA levels of A1 markers. After NLRP3 knockout, the effects of ATR were suppressed. Similarly, in vitro experimental results also revealed that ATR suppressed the A1 differentiation of astrocytes. Based on molecular dynamics and small molecule-protein docking results, ATR mainly targeted NLRP3 and suppressed the NLRP3-mediated A1 differentiation. We discover that ATR can target NLRP3 to suppress A1 differentiation of astrocytes, restrain tissue inflammation, and improve the depression symptoms in mice.

Gastrodin improves nerve cell injury and behaviors of depressed mice through Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis

AIM

We investigated the effects and target of gastrodin (GAS) for treating depression through network pharmacology combined with experimentation.

METHODS

The therapeutic target and signal of GAS for depression were analyzed by network pharmacology. Depression in mice was mimicked with a chronic unpredictable mouse stress (CUMS) model. Through open field, elevated plus maze, forced swimming, and tail suspension tests, the effects of GAS on the CUMS mice behaviors were examined, and the levels of neurotransmitters were detected. The histopathological changes were assayed by H&E and IHC staining, and the protein expressions were detected by Western blotting. Small molecule-protein docking and molecular dynamics experiments were conducted to simulate the binding mode between GAS and Caspase-3.

RESULTS

Network pharmacological analysis revealed that Caspase-3 was the action target of GAS. GAS could improve depression-like behaviors in CUMS mice, elevate their neurotransmitter levels, ameliorate their nerve cell injury, and inhibit their Caspase-3 expression. After knocking out Caspase-3, the effects of GAS were inhibited. Molecular dynamics simulation and small molecule-protein docking found that GAS bound to Caspase-3 at SER25, inhibiting the maturation and activation of Caspase-3.

CONCLUSION

We find that GAS can act as a Caspase-3 inhibitor, which improves depression-like behaviors and nerve cell injury in CUMS mice by inhibiting Caspase-3-mediated apoptosis.