scholarly journals Agarwood Essential Oil Ameliorates Restrain Stress-Induced Anxiety and Depression by Inhibiting HPA Axis Hyperactivity

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 3468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Wang ◽  
Canhong Wang ◽  
Zhangxin Yu ◽  
Chongming Wu ◽  
Deqian Peng ◽  
...  

In our previous investigation, we found that agarwood essential oil (AEO) has a sedative-hypnotic effect. Sedative-hypnotic drugs usually have an anxiolytic effect, where concomitant anxiety and depression are a common comorbidity. Therefore, this study further investigated the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of AEO using a series of animal behavior tests on a restraint stress-induced mice model. The elevated plus maze (EPM) test, the light dark exploration (LDE) test, and the open field (OF) test demonstrated that AEO has a significant anxiolytic effect. Simultaneously, the tail suspension (TS) test and the forced swimming (FS) test illuminated that AEO has an antidepressant effect with the immobility time decreased. Stress can cause cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) elevation, and further lead to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. AEO was shown to dose-dependently inhibit the levels of cytokines, including interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum, significantly decrease the mRNA level of neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and inhibit the nNOS protein level in the hippocampus. Concomitant measurements of the HPA axis upstream regulator corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and its receptor CRFR found that AEO significantly decreases the gene expression of CRF, and significantly inhibits the gene transcription and protein expression of CRFR in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Additionally, AEO dose-dependently reduces the concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) downstream of the HPA axis, as measured by ELISA kits. These results together demonstrate that AEO exerts anxiolytic and antidepressant effects which are related to the inhibition of CRF and hyperactivity of the HPA axis.

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 307-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Sultan Kilic ◽  
Sule Ismailoglu ◽  
Bilgin Kaygisiz ◽  
Setenay Oner

BackgroundGabapentin, a third-generation antiepileptic drug, is a structural analogue of γ-aminobutyric acid, which is an important mediator of central nervous system. There is clinical data indicating its effectiveness in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effects and mechanisms of gabapentin in rats.Material and MethodsFemale Spraque–Dawley rats weighing 250±20 g were used. A total of 13 groups were formed, each containing 8 rats: gabapentin (5, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg), amitriptyline (10 mg/kg), sertraline (5 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg), ketamine (10 mg/kg), gabapentin 20 mg/kg was also combined with amitriptyline (10 mg/kg), sertraline (5 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg). All the drugs were used intraperitoneally as single dose. Saline was administered to the control group. Elevated plus maze and forced swimming tests were used as experimental models of anxiety and depression, respectively.ResultsIt was observed that gabapentin showed an anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effect in all doses in rats. Its antidepressant effect was found to be the same as the antidepressant effects of amitriptyline and sertraline. There was no change in the antidepressant effect when gabapentin was combined with amitriptyline and ketamine, but there was an increase when combined with sertraline and diazepam. Gabapentin and amitriptyline showed similar anxiolytic effect, whereas ketamine and diazepam had more potent anxiolytic effect compared with them.ConclusionsThese data suggest that gabapentin may possess antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harquin Simplice Foyet ◽  
David Emery Tsala ◽  
Armand Abdou Bouba ◽  
Lucian Hritcu

The present study examined the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the aqueous extract ofAlafia multiflora Stapf(AM) stem barks (150 and 300 mg/kg, 7 days administration) on rats and mice, using experimental paradigms of anxiety and depression. In the open field, the aqueous extract increased significantly the number of center square crossed and the time spent at the center of the field as well as the rearing time, while the grooming time was reduced significantly. In the elevated plus maze, the aqueous extract increased the time spent and the number of entries in the open arms. All these effects were also completely reversed by flumazenil, an antagonist of benzodiazepine receptors and pindolol aβ-adrenoceptors blocker/5-HT 1A/1B receptor antagonist. The time spent in the light compartment, the latency time, and the number of the light-dark transitions increased significantly in the light/dark exploration test after the treatment with AM. The extract was able to reduce significantly the immobility time and increase swimming as well as climbing duration. Taken together, the present work evidenced anxiolytic effects of the aqueous extract of AM that might involve an action on benzodiazepine-type receptors and an antidepressant effect where noradrenergic mechanisms will probably play a role.


Author(s):  
Hossein Omidi-Ardali ◽  
Abolfazl Ghasemi Badi ◽  
Elham Saghaei ◽  
Hossein Amini-Khoei

AbstractObjectivesPrevious studies have suggested antidepressant properties for modafinil; however, the underlying mechanisms mediating the antidepressant effect of modafinil have not been well recognized in clinical and animal studies. Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the pathophysiology of depression. We attempted to investigate the possible role of NO in the antidepressant-like effect of modafinil in mouse forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST).MethodsThe antidepressant-like effect of modafinil (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg), alone and in combination with l-arginine, l-arg, (100 mg/kg) and NG-l-arginine methyl ester, l-NAME (5 mg/kg), was evaluated using FST and TST. Following behavioral tests, the hippocampi were dissected out to measure nitrite levels.ResultsFindings suggested that administration of modafinil at doses of 50 and 75 mg/kg significantly reduced immobility time in the FST and TST. Furthermore, administration of l-arg and l-NAME increased and decreased, respectively, the immobility time in the FST and TST. We showed that co-administration of a sub-effective dose of modafinil (25 mg/kg) plus l-NAME potentiated the antidepressant-like effect of the sub-effective dose of modafinil. In addition, co-treatment of an effective dose of modafinil (75 mg/kg) with l-arg attenuated the antidepressant-like effect of the effective dose of modafinil. We showed that the antidepressant-like effect of modafinil is associated with decreased nitrite levels in the hippocampus.ConclusionsOur findings for the first time support that the modulation of NO, partially at least, is involved in the antidepressant-like effect of modafinil in mouse FST and TST.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiting Li ◽  
Yuanhui Li ◽  
Xiaofei Zhang ◽  
Guilin Ren ◽  
Liangfeng Wang ◽  
...  

The Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg (CX)–Aucklandia costus Falc. (MX) herbal pair is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for treating depression. The volatile oil from CX and MX has been shown to have good pharmacological activities on the central nervous system, but its curative effect and mechanism in the treatment of depression are unclear. Therefore, the antidepressant effect of the volatile oil from CX–MX (CMVO) was studied in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats. The suppressive effects of CMVO (25, 50, 100 μL/kg) against CUMS-induced depression-like behavior were evaluated using the forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT) and sucrose preference test (SPT). The results showed that CMVO exhibited an antidepressant effect, reversed the decreased sugar preference in the SPT and prolongation of immobility time in the FST induced by CUMS, increased the average speed, time to enter the central area, total moving distance, and enhanced the willingness of rats to explore the environment in the OFT. Inhalational administration of CMVO decreased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone in serum and the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone mRNA in the hypothalamus, which indicated regulation of over-activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition, CMVO restored levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine in the hippocampus. The RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry results showed that CMVO up-regulated the expression of 5-HT1A mRNA. This study demonstrated the antidepressant effect of CMVO in CUMS rats, which was possibly mediated via modulation of monoamine and cholinergic neurotransmitters and regulation of the HPA axis.


Folia Medica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia M. Gancheva ◽  
Maria D. Zhelyazkova-Savova

AbstractBackground:The metabolic syndrome is a socially important disorder of energy utilization and storage, recognized as a factor predisposing to the development of depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment in humans.Aim:In the present study we examined the effects of vitamin K2 on the behavior of rats with metabolic syndrome and looked for relationships with the effects on blood sugar.Materials and methods:Male Wistar rats were divided in four groups: a control group on a regular rat chow, a metabolic syndrome (MS) group fed a high-fat high-fructose diet, a control group treated with vitamin K2 and a MS group treated with vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 was given by gavage. At the end of the study (after 10 weeks) behavioral tests were performed and fasting blood glucose was measured. Anxiety was determined using the social interaction test and depression was assessed by the Porsolt test. Memory effects were estimated by the object recognition test. Correlations between fasting blood glucose and behavioral performance were analyzed.Results:The rats from the MS group had elevated blood glucose. They had anxiety, depression and memory deficit. Vitamin K2 normalized blood glucose, reduced anxiety and depression, but did not improve memory. Time of social interaction (inverse index of anxiety) and memory recognition were negatively correlated with blood glucose in the untreated rats but the immobility time (measure of depression) was not. When vitamin K2-treated rats were added, the correlation of blood glucose with the time of social interaction was kept, but the one with the recognition memory was lost. It might be that the anxiolytic effect of vitamin K2 in this setting is at least partly due to its effects on blood glucose, while the anti-depressant effect is glucose-independent.Conclusion:The present study demonstrated that vitamin K2 prevented the development of anxiety and depression, but did not improve the memory deficit caused by the dietary manipulation in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome. It might be that the anxiolytic effect of vitamin K2 is at least partly due to its effects on blood glucose, while the antidepressant effect is glucose-independent.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Rabiei ◽  
Mostafa Gholami ◽  
Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei

<p class="Abstract">The aim of this study is to investigate the antidepressant effects of <em>Mentha pulegium</em> essential oil in BALB/c mice. Six experimental groups (7 mice each) were used. Forced swim test was performed 30 min after essential oil injection. In the groups receiving <em>M. pulegium</em> essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg), immobility duration significantly decreased compared to the control group. <em>M. pulegium</em> (50 and 75 mg/kg) resulted in significant decrease in nitrate/nitrite content in serum compared to the control group. <em>M. pulegium</em> essential oil antidepressant effect that may be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress.  The results showed that decrease in nitrate/nitrite content in serum and high anti-oxidant effects of M. pulegium essential oil.</p><p><strong>Video clip:</strong></p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/v/qfmjCf5FNMk">Immobility in Forced Swim Test</a>: 13 sec</p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/v/oqWS13JzQtQ">Mobility in Forced Swim Test</a>: 19 sec</p><p> </p><p> </p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 3075
Author(s):  
V AZIZI ◽  
F ALLAHYARI ◽  
A HOSSEINI

Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) is a chemical substance which largely used for induction of seizure and epilepsy in the animal model, and it can also, disrupts free radicals balance and causes oxidative stress in the body with a negative impact on behavioral statuses like anxiety and depression. In this study, the medicinal plant Buxus hyrcana, was used to evaluate its effect on oxidative stress, anxiety and depression caused by PTZ in the rat. Twenty-four male rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups: control negative under treatment with PTZ (sub-threshold dose 35 mg/kg for one month), control positive under treatment with phenobarbital (PB-30 mg/kg), and two PTZ groups under treatment with B. hyrcana extract (BHE-300, and -600 mg/kg). For anxiety parameters, the elevated plus maze (EPM) was used. The forced swim test (FST) and rotarod test were employed to assess the antidepressant and balance potential, respectively. After behavioral evaluation, rats were anesthetized, brains were removed, and following preparation of brain homogenates, oxidative stress was evaluated using specified methods. BHE administered at the doses of 300, and 600 mg/kg, reduced immobility time in the FST exerting antidepressant-like activity. In the EPM test, BHE at the same doses, produced the anxiolytic-like effect. Also, the rats which received BHE had a significant improvement in rotarod test in contrast to control groups. In addition, brain catalase activity and superoxide dismutase level were significantly greater versus PTZ group BHE-300 treated PTZ group was significantly lower and. BHE could prevent anxiety and depression and ameliorate oxidative stress in PTZ-kindled rats.


2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 649-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha Mohamed ElBatsh

Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by hormonal and neurochemical changes that can be associated with anxiety and depression. I investigated the antidepressant effect of simvastatin (SMV) on diabetic rats. Rats were divided into control (CTR) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ) groups and were orally administered 0, 5, or 10 mg/kg of SMV daily for 14 days, then exposed to the forced swimming test (FST). Our results showed that diabetic rats had higher immobility duration than the CTR rats, and SMV decreased this depressive-like behavior in the diabetic rats. However, clomipramine lowered the immobility time in the CTR and STZ rats. STZ decreased serotonin concentration in the hippocampus, which was reversed by SMV and clomipramine. The dopamine concentration in the hippocampus decreased in the STZ groups compared with the CTR groups. However, SMV and clomipramine had no significant effect on the dopamine levels in either the CTR or STZ groups. Corticosterone levels were increased in the untreated STZ group; SMV and clomipramine significantly decreased corticosterone levels in the STZ groups, but had no effect on the CTR groups. In conclusion, SMV exerts an antidepressant-like effect on diabetic rats that are submitted to the FST. The antidepressant-like effect of SMV in the FST appears to be mediated, at least in part, by the biochemical changes to the blood levels of corticosterone and of serotonin concentration in the hippocampus.


2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janko Samardzic ◽  
Kristina Savic ◽  
Nemanja Stefanovic ◽  
Radomir Matunovic ◽  
Dragana Baltezarevic ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. Zinc is an essential element which has considerable interaction with gamma-aminobutyric acid A type receptors (GABAA) and glutamate receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). It is believed that zinc acts as a potent inhibitor of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and binding to structurally specific site on the GABAA receptor leads to inhibition of GABA dependent Cl-pass. The aim of our research was to test the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of zinc after single application and its influence on general behavioural parameters after repeated administration. Methods. Male Wistar rats were treated with increasing doses of zinc histidine dehydrate (10, 20, 30 mg/kg, i.p.). To determine anxiolytic and antidepressant properties of zinc two models were used: elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swim test (FST). Behavioural parameters (stillness and mobility) were, also, recorded after single and repeated administration of active substance. Results. Testing animals in the EPM showed a statistically significant difference as follows: dose of 20 mg/kg significantly increased the time animals spent in open arms, indicating an acute anxiolytic effect, while doses of 30 mg/kg significantly reduced the time in the open arms, indicating a potentially anxiogenic effect. Testing the animals by FST showed a statistically significant difference in immobility time of animals treated with the lowest applied (10 mg/kg) and highest applied (30 mg/kg) doses of zinc, compared to the control group. The first day of testing behavioral parameters showed the tendency to increase locomotor activity of the animals with the lowest dose of zinc (10 mg/kg), while the following day revealed a reduced activity with the highest dose applied (30 mg/kg). Conclusion. Zinc has important effects on the CNS: After single application, in all doses zinc showed antidepressant effects. The effects of zinc on anxiety and locomotor activity showed dose-dependent bidirectional effects.


Allium cepa L (A.cepa; onion) is a traditional nutraceutical and medicinal plant that contains phenolics and flavonoids that have potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains. It also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects. The present study is aimed to investigate the anti-stress and nootropic effects of A.cepa bulb and quercetin in mice. Animals were divided into control and 2 test groups. Control mice were received drinking water while test groups were treated with suspension of grinded onion bulb in water (200 mg/kg; test group 1) and intraperitoneal injection of quercetin dissolved in ethanol (20mg/kg/ ml; test group 2) daily for 14 days. Behavioral activities of animals were monitored 14 days post administration of A.cepa and quercetin. Antidepressant effects were measured by forced swimming test (FST). Anxiolytic effects were monitored by using light dark activity (LDA) test and elevated plus maze (EPM) test and memory functions were assessed by morris water maze (MWM) test. Results showed that both A.cepa bulb and quercetin increased time spent in light box and open arm of LDA and EPM, exhibited anxiolytic effect than control group. A significant increase in immobility time was observed in FST in test groups than control suggesting antidepressant like effects. Moreover, nootropic effect were assessed by MWM showed significant increased in latency escape while observing short and long term memory for both test groups than control. It is suggested that both A.cepa and quercetin have anti-stress and nootropic effects.


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