• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.79-83
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• 2013

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Lycii Radicis Cortex (LRC) and betaine (BT) on immobility and neurochemical change in the forced swimming test (FST) in the rat. LRC, BT or fluoxentine was administered intraperitoneally to Sprague-Dawley rats three times (1, 5 and 23.5 h) before the FST. To investigate antidepressant-like effect, serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) were examined in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats. LRC (100 mg/kg) and BT (30, 100 mg/kg) significantly decreased the immobility time in the FST. LRC (100 mg/kg) significantly increased both 5-HT and NE levels in the hypothalamus of rats exposed to FST. BT (100 mg/kg) significantly increased 5-HT levels in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats. Taken together, these results demonstrated that improvement in the behavioral changes after LRC and BT administration may be mediated by elevation of 5-HT level in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, indicating a possible antidepressant-like activity. The present results suggest that the efficacy of LRC and BT in an animal model of depression may provide anti-depressant effects in human, which remains to be determined.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.36-44
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• 2023

Essential oils and aromatherapy have traditionally been used for the treatment of anxiety and depression with few side effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of essential oils from six herbal prescriptions known to be effective in treating anxiety and depression in Korean medicine. The neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of six essential oils, including Gamisachil-tang (GMSCT), Guibi-tang (GBT), Sihogayonggolmoryeo-tang (SYM), Danchisoyosan (DCSYS), Sihosogansan (SHSGS), and Soyosan (SYS), were examined in PC12 and BV2 cells. In corticosterone (CORT)-stimulated PC12 cells, all six essential oils ameliorated the CORT-induced decrease in cell viability at a concentration of 10 ㎍/ml. GMSCT, GBT, and SHSGS recovered CORT-induced cytotoxicity at concentrations of 1 ㎍/ml and 10 ㎍/ml. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 cells, GBT (10 ㎍/ml) decreased interleukin (IL)-1β production, whereas SHSGS (1 ㎍/ml) inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production. In the MK-801-induced anxiety in zebrafish, electroencephalogram (EEG) assessment indicated that GMSCT and SHSGS induced recovery in the delta and beta power densities and reduced theta/beta and delta/beta ratios. DCSYS and SYS decreased theta power density and theta/beta ratio, whereas GBT and SYM showed no effects on EEG signals. In the tail suspension test (TST) in mice, GBT, DCSYS, SHSGS, and SYS exhibited antidepressant-like effects by decreasing immobility time. These results suggest that the essential oils from the six herbal prescriptions, except SYM, may have beneficial effects on anxiety and/or depression. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the molecular signaling pathways that mediate the effects of these essential oils on anxiety and depression.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.83-92
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• 1994

본 연구의 목적은, 선택적 serotonin 재흡수 차단제(selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors : SSRI)로서 불안증상을 동반한 비정신병적 우울증에 효과적인 치료제로 알려지고 있는 paroxetine의 항우울 및 항불안 효과를 검증하고, 성별 및 연령별로 효과의 차이를 파악하는 것이다. 이를 위해 8~55세 사이의 우울신경증 환자 232명을 대상으로 paroxetine과 위약을 이중맹 교차방식으로 투여한 후, 우울 및 불안 증상의 호전도를 Hamilton Depression Scale(HDS)과 Hamilton Anxeity Scale(HAS)로 측정하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) HDS로 측정된 우울증상에 대해, 성별 및 연령별로 구분된 8개 대상군에서 모두 paroxetine이 위약에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높은 호전 효과를 보였다. 2) HAS로 측정된 불안증상에 대해서도, 성별 및 연령별로 구분된 8개 대상군에서 모두 paroxetine이 위약에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높은 호전 효과를 보였다. 3) 위약과 비교시, paroxetine의 항우울 효과는 소아 ${\cdot}$ 청소년 여자 환자군에서 가장 두드러졌고, 항불안 효과는 남 ${\cdot}$ 녀 소아 환자군과 35세 이하의 성인 여자 환자군에서 가장 높은 경향을 보였다. 4) 부작용으로는, 전체 232례 중 3례에서 paroxetine 투여 후 경미한 소화불량 및 복통증상을 나타내었으나, 3례 모두 약물의 감량이나 투여중단 없이 회복이 가능했다. 이상의 결과에서 paroxetine은 소아 ${\cdot}$ 청소년 및 성인 우울신경증 환자에서 2주 이내에 위약보다 유의하게 우수한 항우울 및 항불안 효과를 나타내는 것을 알 수 있었다. 향후 보다 장기간의 치료실험을 통하여 이러한 효과의 장기간 지속성에 대한 검증이 필요한 것이다.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.155-167
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• 2010

Objectives : In order to investigate the antidepressant effects of Forsythiae Fructus(FF), we performed the Forced Swimming Test(FST). Also the expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) were measured by immunohistochemical method at paraventricular nucleus(PVN), ventral tegmental area(VTA) and locus coeruleus(LC). Methods : Spraque-Dawley rats were administered FF extract(100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) intragastrically three times prior to the FST. Results : The duration of immobility in the FST was significantly decreased in the FF 100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg groups(p<0.05). The expression of CRF was significantly reduced in the FF 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg groups(p<0.001). c-Fos expression was significantly decreased at PVN in the FF 100 mg/kg group(p=0.069). TH expression at VTA was significantly increased in the FF 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg groups(p<0.05). TH expression at LC was not significantly changed(p=0.346). Conclusion : According to the results, it can be suggested that Forsythiae Fructus has antidepressant effect via the decreased immobility through the reduction of CRF and c-Fos expression at PVN.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.14-25
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• 2004

The current understanding of the mechanisms of pharmacotherapy for depression is characterized by an emphasis on increasing synaptic availability of serotonin, noradrenaline, and possibly dopamine, while minimizing side effects. The acute effects of current available effective antidepressants include blocking selective serotonin or noradrenaline reuptake, alpha2 autoreceptors or monoamine oxidase. Although efficacious, current treatments often produce partial or limited symptomatic improvement rather than remission. While current pharmacotherapies target monoaminergic systems, distinct neurobiological underpinnings and other systems are likely involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Recently, several promising hypotheses of depression and antidepressant action have been formulated. These hypotheses are largely based on dsyregulation of neural plasticity, CREB, BDNF, corticotropin-releasing factor, glucocorticoid, hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis and cytokines. Based on these new theories and hypotheses of depression, a number of new and novel agents, including corticotropin-releasing factor antagonists, antiglucocorticoids, and substance P antagonists show a considerable promise for refining treatment options for depression. In this article, the current available pharmacotherapies, current understanding of neurobiology and pathogenesis of depression and new and promising directions in pharmacological research on depression will be discussed.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.114-118
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• 2006

Depression is a very difficult disease to be cured because several nervous systems are involved. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of Keum-Ryung-Ja-San (KRJS), a traditional herbal prescription, on depressive behaviors in mice using the forced swimming test. KRJS was given 1 h prior to the forced swimming test (50, 100, 200, an400 mg/kg, p.o.). The duration of immobility time in the forced swimming test was significantly reduced by KRJS treatment (200 mg/kg, P<0.05) and similar effects were observed with a classical antidepressant, imipramine (15 mg/kg, i.p.). With subchronic administrations of KRJS and its constituents at several doses for 1 week, a decreased duration of immobility time was observed with KRJS and Corydalis ternata (200 mg/kg, p.o. P<0.05). These results suggest that KRJS may have antidedpressive activities and CT may contribute to the antidepressive activity of KRJS.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.141-150
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• 2009

Objectives : The investigation of the antidepressant effects of Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium (CR) Methods : we performed the forced swimming test. Also the expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) was measured with immunohistochemical method at the Ventral Tegmental area (VTA), Locus coeruleus (LC). The Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) level was measured in plasma. Results: 1. The duration of immobility in the forced swimming test was significantly decreased in the CR 100 mg/kg, CR 400 mg/kg groups, comparing with the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). 2. TH expressions in the VTA, LC were significantly reduced in the CR 100mg/kg and CR 400mg/kg treated group, comparing with the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). 3. ACTH expression in plama was significantly reduced in the CR 100 mg/kg treated group, comparing with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions : According to the above results, it can be considered that Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium has antidepressant effect through the reduction of TH expression at VTA, LC and ACTH level in plasma.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.85-95
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• 2001

This study was designed to examine the effects of two antidepressant drugs on the expression of c-fos mRNA in cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. The drugs used were imipramine and amitriptyline. On the fourth day of culture, hippocampal neurons were treated with variable concentrations of each drug. Competitive RT-PCR(Reverse Transcriptase-PCR) analysis was used to quantify the c-fos mRNA expression induced by each drug. Experimental results showed that acute and direct treatment with imipramine and amitriptyline with relatively low concentrations(imipramine ${\leq}10{\mu}M$, amitriptylne ${\leq}10{\mu}M$) had no inductive effect on the expression of c-fos mRNA in the rat hippocampal neurons. However, after treatment with relatively high concentrations(imipramine ${\geq}100{\mu}M$, amitriptyline ${\geq}100{\mu}M$) c-fos mRNA was not detected. These findings suggest the followings. Firstly, the action mechanisms of these drugs on the hippocampal neurons might not be mediated by c-fos but by other immediate-early genes(IEGs). Secondly, their actions may be mediated indirectly via other areas of the brain. Thirdly, the expression of c-fos might be inhibited by high concentrations of these drugs, or the high concentrations could induce cell death. Finally, though cell death remains to be confirmed, the inhibition of c-fos induction or cell death could play a role in the cognitive impairments known to be adverse effects of some antidepressants. This study is believed to be a first step toward understanding the mechanisms of learning and memory. Further studies are needed to investigate the expression of various IEGs and changes in the hippocampal neurons of rat resulting from chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.27-35
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• 2020

Objectives Ketamine has been reported to have antidepressant effects or psychotomimetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral effects of ketamine treatment at various sub-anesthetic doses in adolescent and adult naïve mice. Methods In each experiment for adolescent and adult mice, a total of 60 male Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, which were intraperitoneally treated with physiological saline, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg ketamine for consecutive 3 days. At 1 day after last injection, the locomotor and depressive-like behaviors were evaluated in mice, using open field test (OFT) and forced swim test (FST), respectively. Results In case of adolescent mice, ketamine dose was negatively correlated with total distance traveled in the OFT (Spearman's rho = -0.27, p = 0.039). In case of adult mice, we found significant positive correlation between ketamine dose and duration of immobility in the FST (Spearman's rho = 0.45, p < 0.001). Immobility time in the 50 mg/kg ketamine-treated mice was significantly higher compared to the saline-treated mice (Dunnett's post-hoc test, p = 0.012). Conclusions We found that the repeated treatment with ketamine could decrease the locomotor or prolong the duration of immobility in mice as the dose of ketamine increased. Our findings suggest that sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine might induce schizophrenia-like negative symptoms but not antidepressant effects in naïve laboratory animals.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.251-258
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• 1997

The dysfunction of either or both noradrenaline and serotonin system are important in the pathophysiology of depression. Previous reports have suggested that there may be an important interaction between these two systems. Recently, some investigators have suggested that the combination of tricyclic antidepressants(TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) would produce a rapid synergistic effect on down-regulation of either or both of these two systems and that this combination may produce a more rapid and absolute antidepressant effect. We compared the treatment efficacy, treatment associated side effects, treatment satisfaction, and the quality of life between the combination therapy of dothiepin-sertraline as well as the therapy of dothiepin alone in the treatment of major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. In our study, the combination therapy of dothiepin and sertraline produced a more rapid and absolute antidepressant effect than dothiepin alone. And the patients with combination therapy experienced relatively high treatment satisfaction than the patients with dothiepin therapy. The patients' quality of life improved more rapidly in the combination therapy, especially, in the health perception, social behavior, and life satisfaction, than dothiepin alone. These results support the hypothesis that the combination of TCA and SSRI may produce a rapid synergistic effect on either or both norepinephrine and serotonin system, and more rapid antidepressant effect and high treatment satisfaction.