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Choudhary K, Prasad SR, Lokhande KB, Murti K, Singh S, Ravichandiran V, Kumar N. 4-Methylesculetin ameliorates LPS-induced depression-like behavior through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1120508. [PMID: 36909194 PMCID: PMC9995395 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1120508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of depression is heavily dependent on inflammation. Evidence suggests that the etiology of depression is linked with NLRP3 inflammasome-induced inflammation. Therefore, blocking the activated NLRP3 inflammasome may be beneficial for treating depression. Due to the limitations of currently available antidepressants, it is necessary to develop novel, safe, and affordable drugs for the treatment of depression. A natural coumarin derivative named 4-methylesculetin (4-MESC) possesses anti-inflammatory properties. However, the role of 4-MESC as an antidepressant has not been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we explored the antidepressant-like effects of 4-MESC and its underlying molecular mechanism through the modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies revealed that 4-MESC has a higher affinity for the NLRP3 PYD. Blood-brain barrier permeability was confirmed using the SwissADME pharmacokinetic tool. High doses (50 mg/kg) of 4-MESC significantly reduced the immobility duration in the tail-suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) without changing the overall locomotor activity in the female Swiss albino mice that were subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced in serum and brain tissues using 4-MESC. 4-MESC's neuroprotective effects are mediated by increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and decreased cortisol levels. 4-MESC markedly reduced LPS-induced elevated levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) and enhanced the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione levels, which revealed its anti-oxidant potential against oxidative stress. 4-MESC diminished the expression levels of NF-κBp65, IL-6, NLRP3, caspase-1, gasdermin D, and IL-1β in the hippocampus. These findings demonstrated that 4-MESC exhibited antidepressant-like effects by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. However, other antidepressant mechanisms might also be involved which require further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo Choudhary
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India
| | - Surendra Rajit Prasad
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India
| | - Kiran Bharat Lokhande
- Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Research Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, GBNagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Murti
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India
| | - Sanjiv Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India.,Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India.,Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India
| | - Nitesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hajipur, Hajipur, India
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Kim DH, Kim JS, Kim J, Jeong JK, Son HS, Park SE, Jo J, Ryu SM, Kim ES, Lee SJ, Lee SI. Therapeutic Effects of Licorice and Dried Ginger Decoction on Activity-Based Anorexia in BALB/c AnNCrl Mice. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:594706. [PMID: 33519458 PMCID: PMC7845735 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.594706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Licorice and dried ginger decoction (Gancao-ganjiang-tang, LGD) is used for nausea and anorexia, accompanied by excessive sweating in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herein, we investigated the therapeutic effects of LGD using the activity-based anorexia (ABA) in a mouse model. Six-week-old female BALB/c AnNCrl mice were orally administered LGD, water, licorice decoction, dried ginger decoction, or chronic olanzapine, and their survival, body weight, food intake, and wheel activity were compared in ABA. Additionally, dopamine concentration in brain tissues was evaluated. LGD significantly reduced the number of ABA mice reaching the drop-out criterion of fatal body weight loss. However, LGD showed no significant effects on food intake and wheel activity. We found that in the LGD group the rise of the light phase activity rate inhibited body weight loss. Licorice or dried ginger alone did not improve survival rates, they only showed longer survival periods than chronic olanzapine when combined. In addition, LGD increased the dopamine concentration in the brain. The results from the present study showed that LGD improves the survival of ABA mice and its mechanism of action might be related to the alteration of dopamine concentration in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Hyun Kim
- Department of Oriental Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South Korea
| | - Joong Sun Kim
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju, South Korea
| | - Jeongsang Kim
- Department of Oriental Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South Korea
| | - Jong-Kil Jeong
- Department of Oriental Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South Korea
| | - Hong-Seok Son
- Department of Oriental Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South Korea
| | - Seong-Eun Park
- Department of Oriental Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South Korea
| | - Jeakwon Jo
- Department of Oriental Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South Korea
| | - Seung Mok Ryu
- Herbal Medicine Resources Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Naju, South Korea
| | - Eun-San Kim
- Jasaeng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jasaeng Medical Foundation, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Jun Lee
- Director's Office, Jung-In Korean Medical Clinic, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soong-In Lee
- Department of Oriental Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South Korea
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Oh DR, Kim Y, Choi EJ, Jung MA, Oh KN, Hong JA, Bae D, Kim K, Kang H, Kim J, Kim YR, Cho SS, Choi CY. Antidepressant-Like Effects of Vaccinium bracteatum in Chronic Restraint Stress Mice: Functional Actions and Mechanism Explorations. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2018; 46:357-387. [DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x18500180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The fruit of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. (VBF) is commonly known as the oriental blueberry in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of water VBF extract (VBFW) in a mouse model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and to identify the underlying mechanisms of its action. The behavioral effects of VBFW were assessed in the forced swim test (FST) and open field test (OFT). The levels of serum corticosterone (CORT), brain monoamines, in addition to the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway were evaluated. VBFW treatment significantly reduced the immobility time and increased swimming time in FST without altering the locomotor activity in unstressed mice. Furthermore, CRS mice treated with VBFW exhibited a significantly decreased immobility time in FST and serum CORT, increased locomotor activity in OFT, and enhanced brain monoamine neurotransmitters. Similarly, VBFW significantly upregulated the ERKs/Akt signaling pathway in the hippocampus and PFC. In addition, VBFW may reverse CORT-induced cell death by enhancing cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein expression through the up-regulation of ERKs/Akt signaling pathways. In addition, VBFW showed the strong antagonistic effect of the 5-HT[Formula: see text] receptor by inhibiting 5-HT-induced intracellular Ca[Formula: see text] and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Our study provides evidence that antidepressant-like effects of VBFW might be mediated by the regulation of monoaminergic systems and glucocorticoids, which is possibly associated with neuroprotective effects and antagonism of 5-HT[Formula: see text] receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dool-Ri Oh
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Drug Development, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Choi
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-A Jung
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyo-Nyeo Oh
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Ae Hong
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyuck Bae
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwangsu Kim
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Huwon Kang
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyong Kim
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ran Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Drug Development, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Sik Cho
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Muan, Jeollanamdo 58554, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Young Choi
- Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research (JINR), Jeollanamdo 59338, Republic of Korea
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