罗布麻叶水提取物对链脲佐菌素致糖尿病小鼠的治疗作用及对肠道GLP-1蛋白表达的影响

目的 探讨罗布麻叶水提取物（WEAVL）对链脲佐菌素（STZ）致糖尿病模型小鼠的治疗作用。方法 随机将ICR小鼠分为对照组和WEAVL（2.34 g/kg）组,每天ig给药1次,连续30 d,检测空腹血糖和体质量。ICR小鼠按200 mg/kg ip 2% STZ溶液制备糖尿病模型,造模成功的小鼠按血糖值随机分为模型组、盐酸二甲双胍（阳性药,130 mg/kg）组和WEAVL低、中、高剂量（0.58、1.17、2.34 g/kg）组,另设对照组,连续给药30 d,测定体质量、空腹血糖、糖耐量及血糖曲线下面积（AUC）;称取肝、肾质量,计算脏器系数;取胰腺组织进行HE染色、组织病理学检查;Western blotting检测肠道组织胰高血糖素样肽-1（GLP-1）蛋白的表达水平。结果 与对照组比较,单纯给予WEAVL对正常动物空腹血糖无明显影响,可显著降低小鼠体质量（P<0.01）。与对照组比较,模型组小鼠血糖显著升高（P<0.01）,各组小鼠体质量均显著降低（P<0.01）;与模型组比较,WEAVL高剂量组给药第2~4周体质量显著降低（P<0.05、0.01）,3个剂量组2 h血糖、血糖AUC均显著降低（P<0.01）,高剂量组肝脏系数显著降低（P<0.05）、肾脏系数显著升高（P<0.05）,中、高剂量组动物胰岛细胞空泡变性例数减少,中、高剂量组肠道组织GLP-1蛋白的表达显著上调（P<0.05）。结论 WEAVL对STZ致糖尿病小鼠有一定治疗作用,其作用机制可能与上调肠道组织中GLP-1的表达有关。     

消癌平注射液联合紫杉醇对人卵巢癌SK-OV-3细胞增殖及裸鼠异位移植瘤生长的作用

目的 研究消癌平（XAP）注射液和紫杉醇（PTX）联合应用对人卵巢癌SK-OV-3细胞增殖及裸鼠异位移植瘤的抑制作用。方法 将生长至对数期的人卵巢癌SK-OV-3细胞分为6组：对照组、紫杉醇组（10 nmol/L）、消癌平注射液低、高剂量组（20、80 μl/ml）、消癌平注射液低、高剂量联合组（PTX 10 nmol/L+XAP 20 μl/ml、PTX 10 nmol/L+XAP 80 μl/ml）,各组分别加入药物干预24 h或48 h后,MTT法测定并计算细胞存活率。将36只雌性荷人卵巢癌细胞SK-OV-3的异位移植瘤裸鼠随机分为6组,包括对照组（G1：生理盐水）、紫杉醇组（G2：PTX 10 mg/kg）、消癌平注射液低、高剂量组（G3：XAP 20 ml/kg、G4：XAP 50 ml/kg）、低剂量联合组（G5：PTX 10 mg/kg+XAP 20 ml/kg）以及高剂量联合组（G6：PTX 10 mg/kg+XAP 50 ml/kg）,每组6只。各治疗组予相应药物治疗18 d,观察记录小鼠一般情况、体重、肿瘤体积,并计算抑瘤率。结果 SK-OV-3细胞体外实验结果显示,与对照组相比,消癌平注射液、低剂量联合组和高剂量联合组的SK-OV-3细胞存活率均显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）,且联合用药组与紫杉醇组相比,也有显著差异（P<0.05）,并呈现剂量和时间依赖性。裸鼠异位移植瘤实验结果显示,高剂量联合组的抑瘤率明显高于对照组和紫杉醇组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 消癌平注射液和紫杉醇联用对人卵巢癌细胞SK-OV-3裸鼠异位移植瘤的抑制具有协同作用（P<0.05）。     

海马补肾丸免疫调节及抗应激作用的实验研究

目的 采用不同模型评价海马补肾丸免疫调节作用和抗应激作用。方法 健康昆明种小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、香菇菌多糖（100 mg/kg）组、龟龄集（0.24 g/kg）组和海马补肾丸0.55、1.10、2.20 g/kg组,每天ig给药1次,连续14 d。①采用注射盐酸环磷酰胺致小鼠免疫抑制模型,给药结束尾iv 25%印度墨汁,计算廓清指数（κ）和吞噬指数（α）,观察小鼠肝指数、脾指数和胸腺指数;②采用注射盐酸环磷酰胺致小鼠免疫抑制模型,ip 5%鸡红细胞悬液0.3 mL致敏,观察各组血清溶血素生成量;③给药第8～10天,除对照组外,剩余各组开始ip环磷酰胺80 mg/kg,连续3 d,继续给药,至给药第14天眼眶静脉取血,测定白细胞数及免疫球蛋白IgG、IgM、IgA含量;④SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、单硝酸异山梨酯片20 mg/kg、龟龄集0.12 g/kg和海马补肾丸低、中、高剂量（0.28、0.56、1.12 g/kg）组,每天ig给药1次,连续14 d,观察海马补肾丸对运动疲劳大鼠游泳时间及运动后对血清尿素氮（BUN）、乳酸（LD）、肝糖原水平的影响;⑤健康昆明种小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、单硝酸异山梨酯片（40 mg/kg）组、龟龄集（0.24 g/kg）组和海马补肾丸低、中、高剂量（0.55、1.1、2.2 g/kg）组,每天ig给药1次,连续5 d,于末次给药后1 h,采用注射异丙肾上腺素致小鼠缺氧模型,将小鼠置于密封瓶中,观察存活时间。结果 与模型组比较,海马补肾丸2.2 g/kg显著增加α及κ（P<0.05、0.01）,海马补肾丸1.1、2.2 g/kg剂量显著增加脾、胸腺系数（P<0.05、0.01）;海马补肾丸各剂量组显著增加血清溶血素生成量（P<0.05、0.01）;海马补肾丸2.2 g/kg剂量组显著增加白细胞数量及免疫球蛋白IgG、IgM、IgA的含量（P<0.05）;海马补肾丸0.56、1.12 g/kg剂量显著延长大鼠力竭游泳时间（P<0.05、0.01）,1.12 g/kg剂量能显著地减少血清中BUN、LD含量,减少肝糖原消耗（P<0.05、0.01）;海马补肾丸1.1、2.2 g/kg剂量能显著延长小鼠缺氧存活时间（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 海马补肾丸具有明显免疫增强和抗应激作用。     

淡豆豉炮制中γ-氨基丁酸含量测定及其抗抑郁作用研究

目的检测淡豆豉炮制过程中各样本γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）含量并研究其抗抑郁作用。方法应用柱前在线衍生-高效液相色谱技术测定原料黑大豆（H）、发酵第6天（F6）、再闷6 d（Z6）、再闷15 d（Z15）样本水煎液中GABA含量；将昆明种小鼠随机分成对照组、模型组、盐酸氟西汀（阳性对照，0.01 g/kg）组、GABA（0.012 8 g/kg）组、H（1.52 g/kg）组、F6（1.52 g/kg）组、Z6（1.52 g/kg）组和Z15低、中、高剂量（0.76、1.52、3.04 g/kg）组，采用单笼饲养加慢性温和不可预知性应激（CUMS）制备小鼠抑郁模型，各组在造模同时开始ig给药，每日应激前1 h给药，连续28 d。检测各组小鼠体质量、糖水偏好、敞箱、悬尾、强迫游泳等行为学指标的变化。结果 H和F6样本水煎液未检出GABA，Z6、Z15样本的GABA质量分数分别为5.559、8.421 mg/g。与对照组比较，模型组小鼠的体质量、糖水偏好、跨格数和直立数均显著减少（P<0.01），悬尾及游泳不动时间显著增加（P<0.05、0.01），表明CUMS抑郁模型制备成功。与模型组比较，盐酸氟西汀组、GABA组、Z6组和Z15高剂量组糖水偏爱度、敞箱实验跨格数和直立数均显著增加（P<0.05、0.01），Z15中剂量组糖水偏爱度和敞箱实验直立数显著增加（P<0.05、0.01）；盐酸氟西汀组、GABA组、Z6组及Z15高、中剂量组悬尾实验的不动时间均显著减少（P<0.05、0.01）；各组小鼠强迫游泳实验的不动时间均显著缩短（P<0.05、0.01）。结论发现淡豆豉炮制后期出现高含量GABA；淡豆豉显著改善小鼠的快感缺失、行为绝望等抑郁症状，具有良好的抗抑郁作用并与GABA含量可能有关。     

萘普替尼靶向表皮生长因子受体不同突变亚型的抗肿瘤作用研究

目的 研究萘普替尼对表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）不同突变亚型荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长的影响。方法 建立野生型EGFR人表皮鳞癌A431、L858R/T790M双突变EGFR非小细胞肺癌H1975、Del19突变型EGFR非小细胞肺癌HCC827及HER2高表达的胃癌N87的裸鼠移植瘤模型,待肿瘤长至100 mm³左右将小鼠分组,A431荷瘤小鼠分组：对照组、阿法替尼12 mg/kg和萘普替尼3.50、1.75、0.87、0.29 mg/kg;H1975荷瘤小鼠分组：对照组、阿法替尼30 mg/kg和萘普替尼7.00、3.50、1.75 mg/kg;HCC827荷瘤小鼠分组：对照组、阿法替尼12 mg/kg和萘普替尼3.50、1.75、0.87、0.60、0.29 mg/kg;N87荷瘤小鼠分组：对照组、阿法替尼12 mg/kg和萘普替尼7.00、3.50、1.75、0.87、0.29 mg/kg,每组10只动物。分组后即开始ig给药,对照组给予同体积去离子水,A431、H1975、HCC827、N87荷瘤小鼠分别给药14、21、7、14 d。观察相对肿瘤体积（RTV）、肿瘤增殖率及对肿瘤质量的抑制率,在体考察萘普替尼的抗肿瘤作用。结果 A431荷瘤小鼠：与对照组比较,萘普替尼各剂量组RTV均显著减小（P<0.01）,肿瘤增殖率分别为26.6%、32.5%、34.8%、42.2%;瘤质量均显著降低（P<0.01）,抑瘤率范围在48.3%~73.9%;0.87 mg/kg为起效剂量,3.5 mg/kg剂量与阿法替尼12 mg/kg效果相当,3.5mg/kg组小鼠体质量显著降低（P<0.01）。H1975荷瘤小鼠：与对照组比较,萘普替尼各剂量组RTV均显著降低（P<0.05、0.01）,肿瘤增殖率分别为14.5%、38.2%、65.3%;3.5 mg/kg为起效剂量,与阿法替尼30 mg/kg作用相当;7.0、3.5 mg/kg组小鼠体质量显著降低（P<0.05、0.01）。HCC827荷瘤小鼠：与对照组比较,萘普替尼3.50、1.75、0.87、0.60 mg/kg组RTV降低极为显著（P<0.01）,肿瘤增殖率均小于40%;瘤质量呈不同程度地降低,抑瘤率范围52.9%~89.7%;0.6 mg/kg为起效剂量,1.75 mg/kg剂量与阿法替尼12 mg/kg作用相当,3.5、1.75 mg/kg组小鼠体质量显著降低（P<0.01）。N87荷瘤小鼠：萘普替尼7.00、3.50、1.75 mg/kg组RTV及瘤质量均显著低于对照组（P<0.05、0.01）,且肿瘤增殖率均小于40%,抑瘤率范围54.9%~95.00%;1.75 mg/kg为起效剂量,3.5 mg/kg与阿法替尼12 mg/kg作用相当;7.0、3.5 mg/kg组小鼠体质量显著降低（P<0.01）。结论 萘普替尼具有明显的抗肿瘤作用,其中对EGFR野生型或单突变型荷瘤抗肿瘤作用较好。关键词：萘普替尼;表皮生长因子受体;表皮生长因子受体酪氨酸激酶抑制剂;突变;非小细胞肺癌     

刺五加注射液UPLC-MS成分分析及其抗抑郁作用研究

目的 建立超高效液相色谱-串联质谱（UPLC-MS）分析方法,对刺五加注射液（CWJI）主要化学成分进行鉴定或表征;进一步研究CWJI对抑郁症模型大鼠行为学及神经肽水平的影响。方法 采用优化后的UPLC-MS分析方法,在正负离子模式下提取质谱峰的一级质谱和二级质谱信息,鉴定CWJI中主要化学成分的化学结构。将雄性SD大鼠随机分为6组,分别为对照组、模型组、盐酸多塞平注射液（DH,阳性药,4.5 mg·kg^-1）组和CWJI低、中、高剂量（44.1、88.2、132.3 mg·kg^-1）组,除对照组外,其余各组均利用孤养结合慢性温和不可预知应激（28 d）的方法制备抑郁大鼠模型,在造模的同时开始ip给药,每天2次,每次间隔3 h。观察各组大鼠体质量、糖水偏好率、敞箱实验（水平穿越格数、直立次数、粪便粒数）的变化;采用放射免疫试剂盒法测定血浆中神经肽Y （NPY）、P物质（SP）、生长抑素（SS）水平。结果 在CWJI中共鉴定出29个主要化学成分,包括刺五加苷D、刺五加苷E、异嗪皮啶、咖啡酸、绿原酸等。抗抑郁实验结果表明,与模型组比较,CWJI高剂量组与DH组在实验第21、28天大鼠体质量均显著升高（P<0.05、0.01）; CWJI低、中、高剂量组及DH组大鼠的糖水偏好率显著增加（P<0.05、0.01）; CWJI低、中、高剂量组及DH组大鼠的水平穿越格数均显著增加（P<0.01）,中、高剂量组及DH组大鼠的直立次数均显著增多（P<0.01）,粪便粒数均显著减少（P<0.05、0.01）; CWJI低、中、高剂量组和DH组大鼠血浆中的NPY水平均显著升高,SP水平均显著降低（P<0.05、0.01）,中、高剂量组和DH组的SS水平均显著升高（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 CWJI具有显著的抗抑郁作用,其化学成分以苷类和黄酮类化合物为主,可能是其抗抑郁的主要活性成分。     

夏黄颗粒治疗慢传输型便秘的实验研究

目的 采用吗啡致小鼠慢传输型便秘模型,评价夏黄颗粒的治疗作用,并对其通便作用进行实验研究。方法 采用连续sc 2.5 mg/kg盐酸吗啡45 d致小鼠慢传输型便秘模型,观察夏黄颗粒的通便作用;采用1次性ip 5 mg/kg盐酸吗啡致小鼠小肠推进、胃排空抑制模型,观察夏黄颗粒对胃肠抑制的拮抗作用;采用测定小鼠小肠湿、干质量法,观察夏黄颗粒对肠水分吸收的作用;采用顺铂致大鼠异嗜模型,观察夏黄颗粒的止吐作用;采用吗啡致豚鼠离体回肠、结肠痉挛模型,观察夏黄颗粒的作用及机制。结果 与模型组比较,小鼠给药5 d,夏黄颗粒14.95、7.48 g生药/kg能显著增加慢传输型便秘小鼠的24 h排便量（P<0.05、0.01）,继续给药至7 d,14.95、7.48 g生药/kg能显著增加小肠推进率、14.95 g生药/kg显著升高血清P物质含量（P<0.05、0.01）;给药1次,14.95、7.48 g生药/kg剂量组能显著增加小鼠小肠推进率、加快胃排空（P<0.01）,14.95 g生药/kg显著增加小鼠小肠含水量（P<0.01）;大鼠给药3 d,10.35 g生药/kg剂量组能显著降低大鼠异嗜高岭土质量（P<0.05）;给药1次,2.49、1.25 mg生药/mL（浴槽终浓度）能显著降低吗啡所致痉挛性回肠的肠张力（P<0.01）,2.49、1.25、0.62 mg生药/mL（浴槽终浓度）能显著降低吗啡所致痉挛性结肠的肠张力（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 夏黄颗粒对吗啡所致慢传输型便秘有显著的治疗作用,具有显著的通便、解痉、促进胃肠运动、肠吸收及止吐作用。     

巴曲酶注射液对大鼠血栓栓塞性脑卒中急性超早期损伤的保护作用

目的 研究巴曲酶注射液对大鼠血栓栓塞性脑卒中急性超早期的保护作用。方法 自体血凝块闭塞左侧大脑中动脉法制备大鼠血栓栓塞性脑卒中模型,32只造模成功大鼠按神经缺陷程度随机分为4组：模型组及巴曲酶注射液低、高剂量（0.3、1.0 BU/kg）组和阿替普酶（rt-PA,9 mg/kg）组,每组8只,另设假手术组8只。造模1 h后尾iv给药,给药后6 h行神经功能评分,采用核磁共振（MIR）技术进行大鼠脑SE-T2WI序列扫描,测量脑病变范围;给药后24 h评分后取脑进行TTC染色,测量脑梗死范围;给药后6、24 h取血浆,测纤维蛋白原（FIB）浓度。结果 与模型组比较,巴曲酶注射液0.3 BU/kg治疗24 h（P<0.05）、1 BU/kg治疗6、24 h（P<0.05、0.01）显著改善大鼠神经功能评分;给药后6 h MRI结果显示,巴曲酶注射液0.3、1.0 BU/kg显著缩小病变范围（P<0.05、0.01）;给药后24 h TTC结果显示,巴曲酶注射液0.3、1.0 BU/kg显著缩小梗死范围（P<0.05）;巴曲酶注射液0.3、1.0 BU/kg于药后6、24 h均可显著降低血浆FIB浓度（P<0.05、0.01、0.001）。结论 巴曲酶注射液能改善大鼠脑缺血急性期受损神经功能、缩小脑病变范围、降低血浆FIB浓度,具脑保护作用。     

芹菜素对百草枯致小鼠肺纤维化保护作用及机制研究

目的 研究芹菜素对百草枯致小鼠肺纤维化的保护作用及机制。方法 将小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、地塞米松组（1 mg/kg）和芹菜素低、高剂量（10、20 mg/kg）组,除对照组外,其他各组ip百草枯（50 mg/kg）建立小鼠肺纤维化模型,第8天开始ig给药,连续给药21 d。观察小鼠体质量变化;测量小鼠肺系数;采用HE染色观察肺组织形态学变化;免疫组化法观察小鼠肺组织中Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原表达变化;ELISA法检测各组小鼠肺组织中Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原和炎症因子肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）-α、白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-1β含量;Western blotting法测定肺组织Caveolin-1蛋白表达水平。结果 造模第28天时,与模型组比较,芹菜素低、高剂量组小鼠体质量显著增加（P<0.05）;地塞米松组和芹菜素低、高剂量组肺系数显著降低（P<0.05）;芹菜素低、高剂量组肺组织内炎性细胞浸润较少、肺泡壁断裂及肺泡腔融合较少,肺纤维化程度较轻;芹菜素低、高剂量组和地塞米松组小鼠的肺组织中Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原和IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α含量显著下降（P<0.01）,Caveolin-1蛋白表达显著下降（P<0.01）。结论 芹菜素对百草枯诱导小鼠肺纤维化具有保护作用,其机制可能与Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原含量及炎症因子水平下调、Caveolin-1蛋白表达水平下调相关。     

注射用益气复脉（冻干）及其组分对阿霉素所致大鼠急性心肌损伤的保护作用研究

目的 探究注射用益气复脉（冻干）（YQFM）对阿霉素（DOX）所致大鼠急性心肌损伤保护作用组方合理性。方法 将140只雄性SD大鼠按体质量随机分成对照组,模型组,YQFM低、中、高剂量（0.28、0.55和1.10 g/kg）组,红参提取物低、中、高剂量（RGE）（0.21、0.42和0.85 g/kg）组,麦冬提取物（OJE）低、中、高剂量（0.30、1.27和2.55 g/kg）组和五味子提取物（SCE）的低、中、高剂量（0.31、0.63和1.27 g/kg）组。尾iv给药7 d,第5天一次性ip 25mg/kg DOX建立急性心肌损伤模型。观察大鼠状态,采集心电图,检测超声心动,腹主动脉取血,取心脏称质量;生化仪测定血清中心肌酶水平,制作心脏切片并进行苏木精-伊红（HE）染色。结果 与对照组比较,模型组大鼠精神状态差,体质量下降,心脏收缩功能异常,心电图显示T波、QT间期异常,血清中CK、LDH、AST含量均显著上升（P<0.05）,且光镜观察发现心肌细胞出现病理性改变。与模型组比较,各给药组体质量均呈明显上升趋势,差异显著（P<0.05）;YQFM中、高剂量,RGE、OJE高剂量和SCE中、高剂量均显著改善T波高耸（P<0.05）,YQFM高剂量组起效程度最大;YQFM和RGE高剂量组显著缓解QT间期延长（P<0.05）;YQFM中、高剂量组和各提取物高剂量对LVDd升高均有显著性改善（P<0.05）;YQFM各剂量和各提取物中、高剂量均显著提高FS（P<0.05）,各给药组均对E/A降低发挥缓解作用;YQFM各剂量均显著降低LDH水平（P<0.05）,中、高剂量组显著降低CK、AST水平（P<0.05）,各味药提取物高剂量显著降低CK、LDH和AST水平（P<0.05）,SCE中剂量显著降低LDH和AST水平（P<0.05）;YQFM中、高剂量明显改善心肌病理性变化。结论 红参、麦冬、五味子均为保护急性心肌损伤的药效组分,组合用药能够降低起效浓度,YQFM组方具有一定的科学性。     

Antidepressant Effect of Baicalin Extracted from the Root of Scutellaria baicalensis. in Mice and Rats

Abstract

The flavonoid baicalin, isolated from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis. G. (Labiatae), is widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In the present study, baicalin, at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg (p.o.), reduced immobility time in tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST) in mice. Baicalin also decreased immobility time at 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg (p.o.) in FST in rats. Furthermore, baicalin (25 mg/kg), as well as fluoxetine (FLU; 20 mg/kg), showed a significant recovery in sucrose intake compared with the vehicle-treated stressed animals for 5 weeks treatment in a chronic mild stress (CMS) model in rats. The effect of baicalin at the dose of 25 mg was as potent as that of reference antidepressant FLU (20 mg/kg) in the CMS model. With the monoamine oxidase (MAO A and B) assay, oral administration of baicalin at the doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg significantly inhibited MAO A activity in a dose-dependent manner in rats. However, only baicalin at the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg markedly inhibited MAO B activity. Neither baicalin nor FLU, at the doses tested, produced a significant effect on locomotor activity in mice. These results suggest that baicalin had a specific antidepressant-like effect in vivo.. The antidepressant activity of baicalin may be mediated in part through MAO A and B inhibition in rat brain.     

积雪草总三萜酸及其主要成分的抗抑郁活性研究

目的:探讨积雪草总三萜酸和其主要成分积雪草酸、羟基积雪草酸的抗抑郁作用.方法:采用小鼠强迫游泳实验、小鼠悬尾实验、开野实验和拮抗利血平所致的小鼠眼睑下垂实验,分别以小鼠不动时间、自主活动数和拮抗率作为评价指标.结果:在强迫游泳实验中积雪草总三萜酸、积雪草酸、羟基积雪草酸60 mg/kg、120 mg/kg剂量均能显著缩短小鼠不动时间,在悬尾实验中30 mg/kg、60 mg/kg、120 mg/kg剂量均能显著缩短小鼠不动时间,开野实验结果表明给药后小鼠的自主活动无明显变化,在利血平拮抗实验中积雪草总三萜酸、积雪草酸、羟基积雪草酸均可减少小鼠眼睑下垂.结论:积雪草总三萜酸、积雪草酸、羟基积雪草酸有抗抑郁作用.     

Possible involvement of nitric oxide in antidepressant-like effect of silymarin in male mice

Abstract

Context: Silymarin (SM) is extracted from milk thistle Silybum marianum L. [Asteraceae (Compositae)] and known for antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Objective: The potential antidepressant-like effect of acute SM and possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) were determined in male mice.

Material and methods: SM was administered orally (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200?mg/kg; p.o.) 60?min before the tests. After assessment of locomotor activity, the immobility time was measured in forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). To assess the possible involvement of NO, a non-specific NO synthase inhibitor, l-NAME (10?mg/kg, i.p.), and a specific iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG) (50?mg/kg, i.p.), were administered separately 30?min before SM (20 and 100?mg/kg).

Results: SM at its effective doses 10, 20, 50, and 100?mg/kg decreased the immobility time in a dose-dependent manner (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.05, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.001, respectively) in FST. SM (10, 20, 50, and 100?mg/kg) also lowered the immobility measure dose dependently in TST (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.05, p?<?0.01, and p?<?0.001, respectively). In addition, 50% of maximum response (ED₅₀) of SM was around 10?mg/kg. The dose 100?mg/kg proved the most effective dose in both the tests. Further, this effect was not related to changes in locomotor activity. Moreover, l-NAME reversed the effect of SM (20 and 100?mg/kg) in FST and SM (100?mg/kg) in TST. However, AG did not influence this impact.

Conclusion: The antidepressant-like effect of SM is probably mediated at least in part through NO and SM may increase NO tune.     

Antidepressant effects of the water extract from Taraxacum officinale leaves and roots in mice

Context: The leaves and roots of the Taraxacum officinale F. (Asteraceae) is widely used as traditional medicinal herb in Eastern Asian countries.

Objective: In the present study, the antidepressant-like effects of the water extract of T. officinale (WETO) leaves and roots were investigated in mice using forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and open field test (OFT).

Materials and methods: Effects of acute (1-day) and chronic treatments (14-days) with WETO (50, 100 and 200?mg/kg) on the behavioral changes in FST, TST and OFT, and the serum corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone concentration were assessed in mice.

Results: Chronic treatment (14-days) with WETO at the doses of 50, 100 and 200?mg/kg significantly decreased the immobility time in both FST (92.6, 85.1 and 77.4?s) and TST (84.8, 72.1 and 56.9?s). Acute treatment (1-day) with WETO at a dose of 200?mg/kg also markedly decreased the immobility time in both FST (81.7?s) and TST (73.2?s). However, all treatments did not affect the locomotor activity in the OFT. Moreover, FST induced a significant increase in serum CRF (5.8?ng/ml), ACTH (104.7?pg/ml) and corticosterone levels (37.3?ng/ml). Chronic treatment (14-days) with WETO decreased the serum CRF (200?mg/kg: 3.9?ng/ml) and corticosterone (50?mg/kg: 29.9?ng/ml; 100?mg/kg: 22.5?ng/ml; 200?mg/kg: 19.8?ng/ml) levels.

Discussion and conclusion: These results clearly demonstrated the antidepressant effects of WETO in animal models of behavioral despair and suggested the mechanism involved in the neuroendocrine system.     

Evaluation of antidepressant activity of vanillin in mice

Objective:

The main objective of this study was to evaluate antidepressant activity of vanillin in mice models of depression.

Materials and Methods:

Animals were divided into five groups, consisting six mice in each group. Out of these, three groups served as control (distilled water, imipramine,and fluoxetine) and the remaining two groups received test drug in two different doses (10mg/kg and 100mg/kg). All the drugs were administered orally one hour before the test procedure for acute study and daily for ten days for chronic study. Mice were subjected to forced swim (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST).

Results:

Both the doses of vanillin reduced the immobility duration in TST as well as in FST. In TST, there was a statistically significant decrease in the immobility in all the groups when compared to the control (distilled water) group. But the reduction of immobility in FST did not show statistically significant reduction in immobility in the groups treated with vanillin when compared with control. In the chronic study group that received vanillin at a dose of 100mg/kg, the immobility reduction was significantly lower when compared to the group receiving fluoxetine.

Conclusion:

Vanillin at the dosage of 100mg/kg has demonstrated antidepressant activity in mice, which is comparable with fluoxetine.KEY WORDS: Antidepressant, depression, fluoxetine, imipramine, vanillin     

N-palmitoylethanolamide, an endocannabinoid, exhibits antidepressant effects in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test in mice

The antidepressant-like effects of N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a putative endocannabinoid, was investigated in mice using the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swimming test (FST). In TST, PEA (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) produced a statistically significant reduction in immobility (50, 32, and 34%, respectively, vs. the control group), whereas fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) reduced immobility by 38%. In FST, PEA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) produced a statistically significant reduction in immobility (15, 21, and 36%, respectively), whereas fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) reduced immobility by 18%. Moreover, PEA (20 mg/kg) did not significantly change motor activity in a spontaneous behavioral test. In conclusion, PEA (dose range of 5-40 mg/kg) administered orally reduced immobility in TST and FST, comparable to the antidepressant effect of fluoxetine, and had no effect on spontaneous activity in mice.     

Involvement of opioid system in antidepressant‐like effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonist AM‐251 after physical stress in mice

Cannabinoid inverse agonists possess antidepressant‐like properties, but the mechanism of this action is unknown. Numerous studies have reported the interaction between opioid and cannabinoid pathways. In this study, acute foot‐shock stress was used in mice to investigate the involvement of the opioid pathway in the antidepressant‐like effect of the cannabinoid CB₁ receptor inverse agonist AM‐251. Stress was induced by intermittent foot‐shock stimulation for 30 min. Then, using the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), the immobility time was measured. Results show that the immobility time was significantly prolonged in animals subjected to foot‐shock stress, compared with non‐stressed controls (P < 0.01). Also, the serum corticosterone level was significantly increased after stress induction (P < 0.001). Administration of AM‐251 (0.5 and 0.3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)), significantly decreased the immobility time of stressed mice in the FST (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) and TST (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The lowest dose of AM‐251 (0.1 mg/kg), naltrexone (0.3 mg/kg), and morphine (1.0 mg/kg) did not show any significant effect on stressed animals (P > 0.05). Co‐administration of AM‐251 with sub‐effective dose of naltrexone decreased the effective dose of this cannabinoid inverse agonist, to 0.1 mg/kg (P < 0.01). On the other hand, administration of the sub‐effective dose of morphine reversed the anti‐immobility effect of AM‐251 (0.5 mg/kg; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the present study for the first time reveals the possible role of opioid signalling in the antidepressant‐like properties of AM‐251 in a foot‐shock stress model.     

D-004, a lipid extract from royal palm fruit, exhibits antidepressant effects in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test in mice

D-004, a lipid extract of Roystonea regia fruits, has been shown to reduce Testosterone, but not dihydrotestosterone-induced prostate hyperplasia in rodents. Inhibition of prostate 5α-reductase seems to explain these effects of D-004. Finasteride, an inhibitor of 5α-reductase used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), has been shown to produce drug-induced depression and to increase mouse immobility in the forced swim test (FST). In this study, therefore, we investigated the effect of D-004 on the immobility in the FST and the tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Also, its effects on other behavioural tests (grip strength, open field activity and rotarod test) were investigated. Mice were randomized into five groups: three groups orally treated with D-004 (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) or vehicle (control group), and a fifth group that received intraperitoneally (IP) imipramine 20 mg/kg for 30 days. In the FST, D-004 (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) produced a statistically significant reduction in immobility (51, 58, and 65%, respectively, versus the control group), whereas imipramine reduced FST immobility by 69%. In the TST, D-004 (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly, but modestly (21%) reduced the immobility versus the control group, although less than imipramine (50%). The lowest dose of D-004 (50 mg/kg), however, was ineffective. D-004 did not alter the results of other behavioural tests. In conclusion, D-004 (250-1000 mg/kg) administered orally for 30 days reduced the immobility in the FST and the TST in mice, and had no effect on other behavioural tests in mice.