Antidepressant-Like Effects of Fractions Prepared from Danzhi-Xiaoyao-San Decoction in Rats with Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress: Effects on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Arginine Vasopressin, and Neurotransmitters

Mitigating phospholipid peroxidation of macrophages in stress-induced tumor microenvironment by natural ALOX15/PEBP1 complex inhibitors

BACKGROUND

The intricate interactions between chronic psychological stress and susceptibility to breast cancer have been recognized, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder (DZXY), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has found clinical utility in the treatment of breast cancer. Macrophages, as the predominant immune cell population within the tumor microenvironment (TME), play a pivotal role in orchestrating tumor immunosurveillance. Emerging evidence suggests that lipid oxidation accumulation in TME macrophages, plays a critical role in breast cancer development and progression. However, a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms and active components of DZXY related to its clinical application in the treatment of stress-aggravated breast cancer remains elusive.

PURPOSE

This study sought to explore the plausible regulatory mechanisms and identify the key active components of DZXY contributing to its therapeutic efficacy in the context of breast cancer.

METHODS

Initially, we conducted an investigation into the relationship between the phagocytic capacity of macrophages damaged by psychological stress and phospholipid peroxidation using flow cytometry and LC-MS/MS-based phospholipomics. Subsequently, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of DZXY based on the results of the tumor size, tumor weight, the phospholipid peroxidation pathway and phagocytosis of macrophage. Additionally, the target-mediated characterization strategy based on binding of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) to phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein-1 (PEBP1), including molecular docking analysis, microscale thermophoresis (MST) assay, co-immunoprecipitation analysis and activity verification, has been further implemented to reveal the key bio-active components in DZXY. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of isochlorogenic acid C (ICAC) based on the results of tumor size, tumor weight, the phospholipid peroxidation pathway, and macrophage phagocytosis in vivo.

RESULTS

The present study demonstrated that phospholipid peroxides, as determined by LC-MS/MS-based phospholipidomics, triggered in macrophages, which in turn compromised their capacity to eliminate tumor cells through phagocytosis. Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanism behind stress-induced PEBP1 to form a complex with ALOX15, thereby mediating membrane phospholipid peroxidation in macrophages. DZXY, demonstrates potent anti-breast cancer therapeutic effects by disrupting the ALOX15/PEBP1 interaction and inhibiting phospholipid peroxidation, ultimately enhancing macrophages' phagocytic capability towards tumor cells. Notably, ICAC emerged as a promising active component in DZXY, which can inhibit the ALOX15/PEBP1 interaction, thereby mitigating phospholipid peroxidation in macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our findings elucidate stress increases the susceptibility of breast cancer by driving lipid peroxidation of macrophages and suggest the ALOX15/PEBP1 complex as a promising intervention target for DZXY.

The antidepressant-like effects of Danzhi Xiaoyao San and its active ingredients

BACKGROUND

Depression is a severe mental illness that endangers human health. Depressed individuals are prone to sleep less and to the loss of appetite for food; their thinking and cognition processes, as well as mood, may even be affected. Danzhi Xiaoyao San (DXS), documented in the Internal Medicine Summary, has been used for hundreds of years in China and is widely applied traditionally to treat liver qi stagnation, liver and spleen blood deficiency, menstrual disorders, and spontaneous and night sweating. DXS can also clear heat and drain the liver. Presently, it is used frequently in the treatment of depression based on its ability to clear the liver and alleviate depression.

PURPOSE

To summarize clinical and preclinical studies on the antidepressant-like effects of DXS, understand the material basis and mechanisms of these effects, and offer new suggestions and methods for the clinical treatment of depression.

METHODS

"Danzhi Xiaoyao", "Danzhixiaoyao", "Xiaoyao", "depression" and active ingredients were entered as keywords in PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI and WANFANG DATA databases in the search for material on DXS and its active ingredients. The PRISMA guidelines were followed in this review process.

RESULTS

Per clinical reports, DXS has a therapeutic effect on patients with depression but few side effects. DXS and its active ingredients allegedly produce their neuroprotective antidepressant-like effects by modulating monoamine neurotransmitter levels, inhibiting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperfunction, reducing neuroinflammation and increasing neurotrophic factors.

CONCLUSION

Overall, DXS influences multiple potential mechanisms to exert its antidepressant-like effects thanks to its multicomponent character. Because depression is not caused by a single mechanism, probing the antidepressant-like effects of DXS could further help understand the pathogenesis of depression and discover new antidepressant drugs.

Anti-depression-like effect of Mogroside V is related to the inhibition of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways

Siraitia grosvenorii (SG) is an edible medicinal plant found mainly in Guangxi, China, and Mogroside V (MGV) is the main component of SG extract. Previous research has shown that SG and MGV exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. However, it is not clear whether MGV has anti-depression-like effect. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects and anti-depression-like effect of MGV both in vitro and in vivo. By performing in vitro tests, we evaluated the protective effects of MGV on PC12 cells with corticosterone-induced injury. In vivo tests, we used the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/day) and MGV (10 or 30 mg/kg/day) were administered by gavage for 21 days, and the open field test (OFT), novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT), Tail suspension test (TST), and forced Swimming test (FST) were used to evaluate the depressive-like behaviors. In addition, we investigated the role of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4) in the hippocampal and cortex tissues. The levels of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in hippocampal and cortex tissues were also measured. Pathological changes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and cortex regions were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression of BDNF, TrkB, TNF-α, and AKT. The results showed that MGV had a protective effect on PC12 cells with corticosterone-induced incurred injury. In addition, MGV treatment relieved the depressive symptoms and significantly reduced inflammatory levels (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). MGV also significantly reduced oxidative stress damage and reduced the levels of apoptosis in hippocampal nerve cells. These results suggested that the anti-depressive effect of MGV may occur through the inhibition of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways and the BDNF/TrkB/AKT pathway. These findings provide a new concept for the identification of new anti-depressive strategies.

Research on Xiaoyao Powder in the treatment of depression based on epigenetics and quality markers

Depression has become one of the most common public health issues around the world, and the incidence has been increasing in recent years. A large amount of clinical investigations have proven that the treatment of depression is difficult. The prognosis is poor, and the fatality rate is high. At present, western medicine is the preferred treatment for depression, but it often causes adverse clinical reactions such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and memory loss, etc. The herbal compound Xiaoyao Powder is a traditional medicine for soothing the liver and relieving depression, strengthening the spleen, and nourishing the blood. It can reduce adverse reactions. It is effective in treating depression. In this study, we elucidate the function of Xiaoyao Powder in anti-depression from the perspective of clinical application and pharmacological mechanisms such as regulating epigenetic and chemical quality markers to provide empirical and experimental theoretical results that contribute to developing future depression therapy with Xiaoyao Powder.

Neuroendocrine Biomarkers of Herbal Medicine for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a medical condition involving persistent sadness and loss of interest; however, conventional treatments with antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy have limitations. Based on the pathogenesis of MDD, treatments using herbal medicines (HM) have been identified in animal studies. We conducted a systematic review of clinical studies to identify neurobiological outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of HM in treating MDD. A meta-analysis was performed by searching nine databases from their inception until 12 September 2022, including 31 randomized controlled trials with 3133 participants, to examine the effects of HM on MDD using neurobiological biomarkers and a depression questionnaire scale. Quality assessment was performed using a risk of bias tool. Compared to antidepressants alone, HM combined with an antidepressant significantly increased concentrations of serotonin (SMD = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.24-2.68, p < 0.00001, I2 = 97%), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (SMD = 1.38, 95% CI: 0.92-1.83, p < 0.00001, I2 = 91%), and nerve growth factors (SMD = 2.38, 95% CI: 0.67-4.10, p = 0.006, I2 = 96%), and decreased cortisol concentrations (SMD = -3.78, 95% CI: -4.71 to -2.86, p < 0.00001, I2 = 87%). Although HM or HM with an antidepressant benefits MDD treatment through improving neuroendocrine factors, these findings should be interpreted with caution because of the low methodological quality and clinical heterogeneity of the included studies.

Supplementation of feed and water after long-duration road transportation: The effects on welfare and rumen fermentation in goats

Water and feed are needed for livestock during their long-duration road transportation. However, limited information is available on the need to supply water and feed to livestock at temporary holding stations after road transportation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of providing water and feed at holding stations on the welfare of goats in mimic surroundings. A total of 24 Guizhou black goats were randomly divided into three groups of eight goats each as follows: deprived of water and feed (TRT0), supplemented with water ad libitum (TRT1), and supplemented with water and feed ad libitum (TRT2). Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected before loading (denoted as “PRE” in this article) and after transport (denoted as “POST” in this article). Statistical analysis was performed via the SAS procedure PROC MIXED. The 10-h road transportation period reduced body weight in TRT0 goats (p &lt; 0.05) but not in TRT1 and TRT2 (p &gt; 0.05). TRT0 and TRT1 goats had POST plasma glucose concentrations above their PRE values (p &lt; 0.05). The PRE-plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) levels were higher in TRT2 compared to TRT0 (p &lt; 0.05) goats, while the POST–PUN levels increased in TRT1 compared to TRT0 goats. The POST non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher for TRT0 compared to that in TRT1 and TRT2 (p &lt; 0.05) goats. No difference was observed for plasma profiles of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p &gt; 0.05). TRT2 goats had higher POST glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity than TRT0 and TRT1 (p &lt; 0.05) goats. TRT0 goats had higher POST plasma glucagon (GC) compared to TRT2 (p &lt; 0.05) and had increased values compared to their own PRE level as a result of road transportation (p &lt; 0.05). TRT2 goats resulted in a lower POST plasma heat-stressed protein-70 (HSP-70) level than TRT0. There was no difference in ruminal pH (p &gt; 0.05). Ruminal total VFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate), and the NH3-ammonia profiles showed a decrease (p &lt; 0.05) after transportation in all groups. Ruminal microcrystalline cellulose, xylanase, cellobiase, and carboxymethyl cellulose activities were unaffected (p &gt; 0.05). These combined results imply that water and feed supplementation to livestock can effectively alleviate stress responses in goats subjected to road transportation and emphasize the necessity to establish water and feed supplies even at a temporary holding pen.

The clinical application of Chinese herbal medication to depression: A narrative review

Depression severely impairs psychosocial functioning and quality of life, which places a huge burden on patients and their families. However, the physiological mechanism of depression remains unknown. Treatment with existing antidepressant medications is effective in around 50% of patients according to various studies, but is associated with severe side effects including nausea and headaches. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been approved and widely used for depression as an alternative medicine in Chinese culture for decades. It has certain advantages and potential in the prevention and treatment of depression. In this review, we summarize the currently available evidence for the efficacy of CHM for the treatment of depression and physiological diseases comorbid with depression. We further discuss the possible mechanisms of action of CHM and the relationships to our current understanding of depression. The majority of current evidence has suggested that the combined treatment with CHM and mainstream antidepressants improves the response rate and reduces the side effects, while CHM alone could be more effective than placebo. However, the results should be carefully interpreted due to the shortcomings of existing clinical trials and a high risk of bias in meta-analyses. Our review provides a summary of the current applications and understanding of widely used CHMs for depression.

Mechanisms of paeoniaceae action as an antidepressant

Paeoniflorin (PF) has been widely used for the treatment of depression in mice models, some Chinese herbal compound containing PF on treating depression, such as Xiaoyao San, Chaihu-Shugan-San, Danggui Shaoyao San etc. Many experiments are also verifying whether PF in these powders can be used as an effective component in the treatment of depression. Therefore, in this review the antidepressant effect of PF and its mechanism of action are outlined with particular focus on the following aspects: increasing the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, inhibiting the HPA axis, promoting neuroprotection, enhancing neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and elevating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This review may be helpful for the application of PF in the treatment of depression.

Research progress on classical traditional chinese medicine formula xiaoyaosan in the treatment of depression

Depression is an emotional disorder that is problematic in psychiatry owing to its unclear etiology and unknown pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese medicine formulations such as Xiaoyaosan have been widely used throughout history to treat depression. In this review, we have focused on recent evidences elucidating the links between Xiaoyaosan and the treatment of depression. Data from animal and clinical studies, focusing on the pharmacological mechanisms, clinical applications, and effective materials that form the basis for the treatment of depression are presented and discussed. We found that the antidepressant effects of Xiaoyaosan are related to the effects of monoamine neurotransmitters, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neuroplasticity, synaptic plasticity, inflammatory response, neuroprotection, brain-gut axis, regulation of intestinal microbiota, oxidative stress, and autophagy for reducing neuronal apoptosis. This review highlights the current evidence supporting the use of Xiaoyaosan as an antidepressant and provides an overview of the potential mechanisms involved.

Canonical Chinese medicine formula Danzhi-Xiaoyao-San for treating depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danzhi-Xiaoyao-San (DXS), as a canonical Chinese medicine formula, possessing the functions of the soothing liver, invigorating spleen, clearing heat, and cooling blood, has been widely used for the treatment of depression.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aimed to examine the efficacy of DXS in depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a literature search in several databases, e.g., PUBMED, until August 2021 and conducted the meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3 software. The random-effects model and fixed-effects model were used to synthetize extracted data.

RESULTS

Finally, this meta-analysis showed that comparing with antidepressants, DXS exhibited similar effect to antidepressants in the clinical comprehensive effect [RR = 1.04, 95% CI (0.77, 1.40); P = 0.81] and decrease in Self-Rating Depression Scale scores [WMD = 0.89, 95% CI (-6.33, 8.11); P = 0.81], while lower effect in Hamilton Depression Scale scores [SMD = -0.29, 95% CI (-0.55, -0.03); P = 0.03]; Furthermore, DXS plus antidepressants can significantly improve the clinical comprehensive effect [RR = 1.23, 95% CI (1.17, 1.29); P < 0.00001] and decrease the Hamilton Depression Scale scores [SMD = 1.04, 95% CI (0.51, 1.58); P = 0.0001] than pure antidepressants.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis approved an efficient role of DXS in improving depression in clinical randomized controlled trials. However, further evidence from large samples and high-quality randomized controlled trials is needed to be investigated for a reliable conclusion about DXS in the treatment of depression.

Metabolomic characteristics of spontaneously hypertensive rats under chronic stress and the treatment effect of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder, a traditional Chinese medicine formula

OBJECTIVE

Numerous studies have demonstrated the close relationship between chronic stress and blood pressure (BP). Hypertensive subjects exhibit exaggerated reactions to stress, especially higher BP. The mechanisms by which stress affects pre-existing hypertension still need to be explored. Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder (DP), a historical traditional Chinese medicine formula, is a promising treatment for BP control in hypertensive patients under stress. The present study investigated the metabolomic disruption caused by chronic stress and the treatment effect and mechanism of DP.

METHODS

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) for 4 weeks. BP was measured via the tail-cuff method, and anxiety-like behavior was quantified using the elevated-plus-maze test. Meanwhile, DP was administered intragastrically, and its effects were observed. Global metabolomic analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, followed by multivariate statistical analysis to detect differential metabolites and pathways.

RESULTS

DP alleviated the CRS-induced increase in BP and anxiety-like behavior. Systematic metabolic differences were found among the three study groups. A total of 29 differential plasma metabolites were identified in both positive- and negative-ion modes. These metabolites were involved in triglyceride metabolism, amino acid (phenylalanine, tryptophan, and glycine) metabolism, and steroid hormone pathways.

CONCLUSION

These findings expose the metabolomic disturbances induced by chronic stress in SHRs and suggest an innovative treatment for this disorder.

Exploration of the mechanism by which icariin modulates hippocampal neurogenesis in a rat model of depression

Icariin (ICA) has a significant capacity to protect against depression and hippocampal injury, but it cannot effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain. Therefore, the mechanism by which ICA protects against hippocampal injury in depression remains unclear. In this study, we performed proteomics analysis of cerebrospinal fluid to investigate the mechanism by which ICA prevents dysfunctional hippocampal neurogenesis in depression. A rat model of depression was established through exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress for 6 weeks, after which 120 mg/kg ICA was administered subcutaneously every day. The results showed that ICA alleviated depressive symptoms, learning and memory dysfunction, dysfunctional neurogenesis, and neuronal loss in the dentate gyrus of rats with depression. Neural stem cells from rat embryonic hippocampi were cultured in media containing 20% cerebrospinal fluid from each group of rats and then treated with 100 μM corticosterone. The addition of cerebrospinal fluid from rats treated with ICA largely prevented the corticosterone-mediated inhibition of neuronal proliferation and differentiation. Fifty-two differentially expressed proteins regulated by chronic unpredictable mild stress and ICA were identified through proteomics analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. These proteins were mainly involved in the ribosome, PI3K-Akt signaling, and interleukin-17 signaling pathways. Parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry showed that Rps4x, Rps12, Rps14, Rps19, Hsp90b1, and Hsp90aa1 were up-regulated by chronic unpredictable mild stress and down-regulated by ICA. In contrast, HtrA1 was down-regulated by chronic unpredictable mild stress and up-regulated by ICA. These findings suggest that ICA can prevent depression and dysfunctional hippocampal neurogenesis through regulating the expression of certain proteins found in the cerebrospinal fluid. The study was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine of China in March 2017.

Xiaoyao Pill improves the Affective Dysregulation of Sleep-deprived Female Mice by inhibiting Brain Injury and regulating the Content of Monoamine Neurotransmitter

BACKGROUND

Sleep curtailment is a serious problem in many societies. Clinical evidence has shown that sleep deprivation is associated with mood dysregulation, formation of false memory, cardio-metabolic risk factors and outcomes, inflammatory disease risk, and all-cause mortality. The affective disorder dysregulation caused by insufficient sleep has become an increasingly serious health problem. However, to date, not much attention has been paid to the mild affective dysregulation caused by insufficient sleep, and there is no clear and standard therapeutic method to treat it. The Xiaoyao Pill is a classic Chinese medicinal formula, with the effect of dispersing stagnated hepatoqi, invigorating the spleen, and nourishing the blood. Therefore, it is most commonly used to treat gynecological diseases in China. In the present study, the effects of the Xiaoyao Pill on affective dysregulation of sleep-deprived mice and its underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated.

METHODS

Forty adult female mice were used in the present study. The sleep deprivation model was established by improving the multi-platform water environment method. After 7 consecutive days of sleep deprivation, the mice were administrated low (LXYP, 0.32mg/kg) and high (HXYP, 0.64 mg/kg) doses of the Xiaoyao Pill for two weeks. Then, the body weight, behavioral deficits, and histopathology were evaluated. Meanwhile, the expression of c-fos protein and the concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were determined after two weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Xiaoyao Pill treatment significantly increased body weight and sucrose consumption and decreased the irritability scores of the sleep-deprived mice. Meanwhile, Xiaoyao Pill treatment prevented brain injury and inhibited the expression of c-fos protein in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. In addition, HXYP treatment significantly upregulated the levels of NE in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (p < 0.01). LXYP treatment significantly up-regulated the levels of 5-HT in the prefrontal cortex. Meanwhile, both HXYP and LXYP treatment significantly up-regulated the levels of DA in the prefrontal cortex (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) of sleep-deprived mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that Xiaoyao Pill treatment prevented the behavioral deficits of mice induced by sleep deprivation by promoting the recovery of brain tissue injury and up-regulating the levels of NE, 5-HT, and DA in the brain tissue.

Gastrodiae Rhizoma Water Extract Ameliorates Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Hyperactivity and Inflammation Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Rats

Gastrodiae Rhizoma is a highly valuable traditional herbal medicine commonly used to treat neurological disorders. The present study is designed to determine the antidepressant-like effect of the Gastrodiae Rhizoma water extract (GRWE) on a depression model and the potential mechanisms. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model was used to induce depression. The sucrose preference test, open field test, forced swimming test, and tail suspension test were performed to assess the depressive-like behaviors, respectively. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function was measured via plasma corticosterone (CORT), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) concentrations. Plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also evaluated. The results showed that GRWE significantly attenuates the behavioral abnormalities in CUMS rats, as shown by elevated sucrose consumption, raised locomotor activity, and reduced immobility duration. Moreover, GRWE treatment reduced CORT, ACTH, CRF, and GR levels and decreased the plasma IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations. These findings indicate that GRWE improves depressive behaviors in a chronic stress model of rats; its effect may be ascribed to the modulation of the HPA axis activity and inflammatory response.

The role of inflammatory cytokines in anemia and gastrointestinal mucosal injury induced by foot electric stimulation

Foot electrical stimulation (FES) has been considered as a classic stressor that can disturb homeostasis. Acute anemia was observed in the model induced by FES. The aim of this study was to explore the role of inflammatory cytokines underlying the acute anemia and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal injury in the FES. Twenty-four male Kunming mice (20 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. The mice were placed in a footshock chamber that can generate 0.5 mA electrical impulse periodically for 0.5 h. After the process, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, the levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in serum and hypothalamus, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in serum and pituitary were detected separately. In addition, we investigated the expressions of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-10) in the hypothalamus and duodenum by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results showed that this FES model induced anemia, increased CRH and ACTH activity in the serum after the FES. Moreover, the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS were significantly increased following the process, while IL-10 was not activated. These findings suggest that anemia, the inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and duodenum of the mice in the model induced by FES is closely related to GI mucosal injury/bleeding. Taken together, these results underscore the importance of anemia, GI mucosal injury/bleeding and stress, future studies would be needed to translate these findings into the benefit of affected patients.

Xiaoyao Pills Prevent Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depression by Inhibiting Inflammation and Protecting Nerves

Lipopolysaccharides are pro-inflammation mediators that can induce inflammation in the serum, hippocampus, and cortex of animals. And lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammatory state resulted in significant depression-like behaviors, including reduced locomotor activity in the open field test, reduced saccharin preference, added immobility time in tail suspension test and forced swimming test, decreased comb time in the splash test, and increased latency to food in the novelty suppressed feeding test time, and reduced the levels of neurotrophic factors and synaptic proteins, and decreased Nissl bodies. Treatment with Xiaoyao Pills ameliorated the depression-like behavior, decreased the levels of inflammatory indicators, increased those of neurotrophic factors and synaptic proteins, and restored Nissl bodies. Our study suggests that lipopolysaccharides induce inflammation and nerve injury, thereby leading to depression. Xiaoyao Pills could be considered a potential therapeutic candidate for inflammation-induced depression.

Botanicals as modulators of depression and mechanisms involved

Depression is the most disastrous mood disorder affecting the health of individuals. Conventional treatments with chemical compounds for depression have limitations, while herbal medicine has unique therapeutic effects. This paper introduces the pharmacological basis and biological mechanisms underlying the botanical antidepressants over the past 5 years. Based upon the specific therapeutic targets or mechanisms, we analyzed the pathological roles of monoamine neurotransmitters, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic plasticity performed in antidepressant of the botanicals. In addition, gut flora and neurogenesis were also preferentially discussed as treatment approaches. Based on the complex pathogenesis of depression, we suggested that mixed use of botanicals, namely prescription would be more suitable for treatment of depression. In addition, neural circuit affected by botanicals or active components should also attract attention as the botanicals have potential to be developed into fast-acting antidepressants. Finally, gut flora might be a new systemic target for the treatment of depression by botanicals. This review would strength botanical medicine as the antidepressant and also provides an overview of the potential mechanisms involved.

Influence of Xiaoyaosan on depressive-like behaviors in chronic stress-depressed rats through regulating tryptophan metabolism in hippocampus

BACKGROUND

Tryptophan metabolism has always been considered to play a vital role in mental disorder diseases, and how traditional Chinese formula Xiaoyaosan regulates the tryptophan metabolism is a complement to the pathogenesis of depression. This study established a depression rat model by the chronic immobilization stress (CIS) method and observed the change in tryptophan metabolism in hippocampus and the effects of Xiaoyaosan.

METHODS

Forty-eight male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: control group, CIS group, Xiaoyaosan group, and fluoxetine group. The depression model was established by the 21-day CIS. The food intake and body weight were recorded, and the sucrose preference test (SPT), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF) test and open field test (OFT) were also used to evaluate the model. Then, the contents of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in hippocampus were detected by the ELISA method, and the expression levels of tryptophan hydrogenase 2 (TPH2) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in hippocampus were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot methods.

RESULTS

The behavioral data showed a significant difference between the model group and the normal group. The 5-HT content in the hippocampi of CIS rats was significantly reduced, whereas the tryptophan content in the hippocampi of model rats was significantly increased. The TPH2 level in hippocampus of the model group was significantly decreased, and the IDO1 level was significantly increased. Xiaoyaosan and fluoxetine could significantly reverse these changes and had obvious curative effects.

CONCLUSION

The abnormal tryptophan metabolism existed in the hippocampi of chronic stress-depressed rats, which was closely related to the pathogenesis of depression. Xiaoyaosan could improve the tryptophan metabolism by regulating the expression levels of TPH2 and IDO1, thus exerting an antidepressant-like effect.

Impact of chronic unpredicted mild stress-induced depression on repaglinide fate via glucocorticoid signaling pathway

Chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression could alter the pharmacokinetics of many drugs in rats, however, the underlying mechanism is not clear. In this work we studied the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide, and explored the role of glucocorticoid and adrenergic signaling pathway in regulating drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) in GK rats and BRL 3A cells. The plasma cortisol and epinephrine levels were increased, meanwhile the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide were altered significantly in depression model rats. Forty-nine genes in liver of model rats displayed significant difference comparing to control rats. The differentially expressed genes enriched in the drug metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway significantly, and Nr1i3 matched 335 connectivity genes. CAR and Ugt1a1 protein expression were enhanced significantly in liver of model rats. The mRNA expression of Ugt1a1 and Nr1i2 were increased 2 and 4 times respectively with dexamethasone (DEX) and 8-Br-cAMP co-treatment in BRL 3A cells. The protein expression of PXR was up-regulated, too. However, RU486 reversed the up-regulated effect. The adrenergic receptor agonists had little impact on the DMEs in BRL 3A. Our data suggested that CUMS-induced depression might up-regulate DMEs expression via glucocorticoid signaling pathway, and accelerate the fate of the repaglinide in spontaneous diabetes rats.

Musical Auditory Stimulation Influences Heart Rate Autonomic Responses to Endodontic Treatment

We aimed to evaluate the acute effect of musical auditory stimulation on heart rate autonomic regulation during endodontic treatment. The study included 50 subjects from either gender between 18 and 40 years old, diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis or pulp necrosis of the upper front teeth and endodontic treatment indication. HRV was recorded 10 minutes before (T1), during (T2), and immediately (T3 and T4) after endodontic treatment. The volunteers were randomly divided into two equal groups: exposed to music (during T2, T3, and T4) or not. We found no difference regarding salivary cortisol and anxiety score. In the group with musical stimulation heart rate decreased in T3 compared to T1 and mean RR interval increased in T2 and T3 compared to T1. SDNN and TINN indices decreased in T3 compared to T4, the RMSSD and SD1 increased in T4 compared to T1, the SD2 increased compared to T3, and LF (low frequency band) increased in T4 compared to T1 and T3. In the control group, only RMSSD and SD1 increased in T3 compared to T1. Musical auditory stimulation enhanced heart rate autonomic modulation during endodontic treatment.