scholarly journals Prunin modulates the Expression of Cerebral Serotonin Induced by Anxiety-Like Behavior in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2199166
Author(s):  
Feng Guo ◽  
Dongtao Yan ◽  
Zifu Qin ◽  
Souravh Bais
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Clinical Application ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze ◽  
Dark Chamber ◽  
Cellular Receptors ◽  
Mechanistic Approach ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Mrna Expression Levels

Anxiety is a state that becomesa disorder when a person experiences disproportionate levels of anxiety on a regular basis. This disproportion is also accompanied by excessive nervousness and fear. This study aimed to determine the protective effect of prunin using different anxiety models. Three preclinical anxiety models, elevated plus maze, light/dark, and social interaction, were employed in the study. Albino mice were selected and treated with pruninand other drugs for 7 days to determine their anti-anxiety effect. Thereafter, their behavior was examined using the plus maze, light-dark chamber, and other stimulatory parameters, such asimmobility, sniffing, and crawling during experimentation. Two doses (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) of prunin were administered to two separate mice groups. Further, fluoxetine (10 mg/kg; p.o.) was administered to one of the mice groups for 7 days. Thereafter, the levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and GABA, in brain samples were determined. Based on the results, prunin significantly improved the behavior and mobility of animals in all three anxiety models. Further, prunin modulated the release of serotonin and GABA, demonstrating the mechanistic approach it employs to interact with cellular receptors to mimic neurotransmission. The mRNA expression levels of tph2 (5-HT synthesizing enzyme) and slc6a4 (5-HT transporter) were also found to be downregulated in both prunin- and fluoxetine-treated mice brains. Collectively, our findings suggest that prunin could be administered to treat anxiety in mice. However, further studies should be carried out to explore its potential for clinical application.

scholarly journals Attachment Insecurity in Rats Subjected to Maternal Separation and Early Weaning: Sex Differences

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Zeng ◽  
Zijia Yu ◽  
Qingjun Huang ◽  
Haiyun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze ◽  
Central Zone ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Attachment Insecurity ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Field Rodents

Attachment insecurity in the forms of attachment anxiety and avoidance is associated with mental disorders in humans. In this research field, rodents, especially mice and rats, are commonly used to study social behaviors and underlying biological mechanisms due to their pronounced sociability. However, quantitative assessment of attachment security/insecurity in rodents has been a major challenge. The present study identified attachment insecurity behaviors in rats subjected to maternal separation (MS) during postnatal days (PD) 2–16 and early weaning (EW) during PD 17–21. This MSEW procedure has been used to mimic early life neglect in humans. After MSEW, rats continued to survive until early adulthood when they were subjected to open-field, social interaction, and elevated-plus maze tests. Compared to CNT rats in either gender, MSEW rats moved longer distances at higher velocities in the open-field. The MSEW rats also showed lower ratios of travel distance at central zone over that on whole arena of the open-field compared to CNT rats. In social interaction test, male CNT rats preferred to investigate an empty cage than females; whereas female CNT rats spent more time with a partner-containing cage as compared to males. This gender-specific difference was reversed in MSEW rats. On elevated-plus maze female CNT rats exhibited more risk-taking behaviors as compared to male counterparts. Moreover, female MSEW rats experienced a greater difficulty in making a decision on whether approaching to or averting from which arms of elevated-plus maze. Taken together, male MSEW rats behaved like attachment anxiety while females’ phenotype is alike to attachment avoidance described in humans. These results shall prompt further application of MSEW rat in abnormal psychology and biological psychiatry research.

scholarly journals Increasing 3α,5α-THP following inhibition of neurosteroid biosynthesis in the ventral tegmental area reinstates anti-anxiety, social, and sexual behavior of naturally receptive rats

Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl A Frye ◽  
Jason J Paris ◽  
Madeline E Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Ventral Tegmental Area ◽  
Mating Behavior ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Ventral Tegmental ◽  
Behavior Inhibition ◽  
Progesterone Metabolite

The progesterone metabolite and neurosteroid, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), has actions in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) to modulate lordosis, but its effects on other reproductively relevant behaviors are not well understood. Effects on exploration, anxiety, and social behavior resulting from inhibition of 3α,5α-THP formation, as well as 3α,5α-THP enhancement, were investigated in the midbrain VTA. Naturally sexually receptive, female rats (n=8–10/group) received infusions aimed at the midbrain VTA of vehicle, PK11195 (an inhibitor of neurosteroidogenesis), and/or indomethacin (an inhibitor of 3α,5α-THP formation from prohormones), and were subsequently infused with vehicle or FGIN 1-27 (a neurosteroidogenesis enhancer). The rats were then assessed in a behavioral battery that examined exploration (open field), anxiety (elevated plus maze), social (social interaction), and sexual (paced mating) behavior. Inhibition of 3α,5α-THP formation decreased exploratory, anti-anxiety, social, and sexual behavior, as well as midbrain 3α,5α-THP levels. Infusions of FGIN 1-27 following 3α,5α-THP inhibition restored these behaviors and midbrain 3α,5α-THP levels to those commensurate with control rats that had not been administered inhibitors. These findings suggest that 3α,5α-THP formation in the midbrain VTA may influence appetitive, as well as consummatory, aspects of mating behavior.

scholarly journals Engaging in paced mating, but neither exploratory, anti-anxiety, nor social behavior, increases 5α-reduced progestin concentrations in midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl A Frye ◽  
Jason J Paris ◽  
Madeline E Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Partner Preference ◽  
Reproductive Behaviors ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
17Β Estradiol

Sequential actions of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in the hypothalamus and the P4 metabolite, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) respectively mediate the initiation and intensity of lordosis of female rats and mayalso modulate anxietyand social behaviors, through actions in these, and/or other brain regions. Biosynthesis of E2, P4, and 3α,5α-THP can also occur in brain, independent of peripheral gland secretion, in response to environmental/behavioral stimuli. The extent to which engaging in tasks related to reproductive behaviors and/or mating increased E2 or progestin concentrations in brain was investigated. In Experiment 1, proestrous rats were randomly assigned to be tested in individual tasks, including the open field, elevated plus maze, partner preference, social interaction, or no test control, in conjunction with paced mating or no mating. Engaging in paced mating, but not other behaviors, significantly increased dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and 3α,5α-THP levels in midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. In Experiment 2, proestrous rats were tested in the combinations of the above tasks (open field and elevated plus maze, partner preference, and social interaction) with or without paced mating. As in Experiment 1, only engaging in paced mating increased DHPand 3α,5α-THP concentrations in midbrain, hippocampus, striatum, and cortex. Thus, paced mating enhances concentrations of 5α-reduced progestins in brain areas associated with reproduction (midbrain), as well as exploration/anxiety (hippocampus and striatum) and social behavior (cortex).

GABAmimetic agents display anxiolytic-like effects in the social interaction and elevated plus maze procedures

1991 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Corbett ◽  
Stuart Fielding ◽  
Michael Cornfeldt ◽  
Robert W. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
The Social

scholarly journals Anxiolytic activity of aerial part hydroethanolic extract of Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae) in mice

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abidemi J. Akindele ◽  
Hakeem A. Sanni ◽  
Pamela C. Edeh
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Aerial Part ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze ◽  
Anxiolytic Activity ◽  
Elevated Plus Maze Test ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
Hole Board ◽  
Hole Board Test ◽  
Hydroethanolic Extract

Background: Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae) is a mildly aromatic annual herb used to flavor food. Ethnobotanical survey revealed application of A. ascalonicumin the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.  Objective: To investigate the anxiolytic activity of aerial part hydroethanolic extract of A. ascalonicum. Methods: The hole-board, elevated plus maze, light/dark exploration, open field and social interaction tests were used in this study. Groups of mice were treated orally with distilled water (10 ml/kg), diazepam (1 mg/kg), and A. ascalonicum (50-400 mg/kg). Evaluations were done 1 h post-treatment and the duration of observation was mostly 5 min. In the hole-board test, mice were observed for number/duration of head dips and number of sectional crossings. In the elevated plus maze test, the time spent in the open/closed arms and the number of entries by mice were observed. In the light/dark exploration test, the latency of entry into the dark box, time spent in the light and dark compartments, number of rearing and assisted rearing were determined. In respect of the open field test, observations were made for the number of rearing, assisted rearing, and sectional crossings. In the social interaction test, pairs of mice were observed for number of interactions including sniffing, following, and partner grooming. Results: In the hole-board test, A. ascalonicum significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) increased the number/duration of head dips and number of sectional crossings. In the elevated plus maze test, A. ascalonicum significantly (p<0.05) increased the number of entries into the open arm with corresponding reduction in number of entries into the closed arm. In the light/dark exploration test, A. ascalonicum significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) increased the latency of entry into the dark box, time spent in the light box, and number of rearing and assisted rearing. In respect of the open field test, A. ascalonicum significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) increased the number of sectional crossings and rearing. Considering the social interaction test, A. ascalonicum significantly (p<0.05) increased the number of interactions. Peak anti-anxiety effects were mostly observed at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Conclusion: The aerial part hydroethanolic extract of Allium ascalonicum possesses anxiolytic properties. Keywords: Allium ascalonicum, Liliaceae, anxiolytic activity, medicinal plants, traditional medicine.

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