• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.507-517
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• 2015

The bark of Magnolia officinalis has been used in traditional oriental medicine to treat a variety of mental disorders including anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of M. officinalis ethanol extract on stress-induced alterations in learning and cognitive function using a passive avoidance test (PAT) and also on anxiety-related behavior using the elevated plus-maze test (EPM) in female rats . The degree of Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the region of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the locus coeruleus (LC) was measured using an immunohistochemical method. Corticosterone concentrations in serum were also measured. The ethanol extract from Magnolia officinalis was orally administered to female rats 30 minutes before evaluating their immobilization stress and anxiety-related behavior using an elevated plus-maze test and a passive avoidance test. Time spent in the open arms of the EPM increased in the M. officinalis-treated group compared with that of the saline-treated control group. In the passive avoidance test, the memory and cognitive function improved in the M. officinalis extract-treated group. M. officinalis extracts reduced elevated corticosterone concentrations in serum. Also, stress-induced TH increases were suppressed in the M. officinalis extract-treated group in the LC and the VTA region. These results suggest that M. officinalis might prove to be an effective anxiolytic anti-stress agent.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.371-376
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• 2010

Glycyrrhizae radix (GR) is an herbal medicine that is commonly used in the East Asia for treating a variety of diseases, including stomach disorders. The objective of the present study was to examine the anti-stress effects of GR on repeated stress-induced alterations of anxiety, learning and memory in rats. Restraint stress was administered for 14 days (2 h/day) to the rats in the Control and GR groups (400 mg/kg/day, PO). Starting on the eighth day, the rats were tested for spatial memory on the Morris water maze test (MW) and for anxiety on the elevated plus maze (EPM). We studied the changes of the expressions of cholineacetyl transferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the locus coerleus (LC) using immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the rats treated with GR had significantly reduced stress-induced deficits on their learning and memory on the spatial memory tasks. In addition, the ChAT immunoreactivities were increased. Gor the EPM, treatment with GR increased the time spent in the open arms (p<0.001) as compared to that of the control group. Moreover, GR treatment also normalized the increases of the TH expression in the LC (p<0.001). In conclusion, administration of GR improved spatial learning and memory and reduced stress-induced anxiety. Thus, the present results suggest that GR has the potential to attenuate the behavioral and neurochemical impairments caused by stress.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.409-417
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• 2007

We investigated the effect of Arogh, a polyherbal formulation (PHF) on animal models of anxiety based on exploratory behavior. The anxiolytic activity of polyherbal formulation (30, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) was studied using various behavioural paradigms such as elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark apparatus (LDA), open field apparatus (OFA), hole board apparatus (HBA). Diazepam (1 mg/kg) was used as a standard anxiolytic drug. The effect of PHF (100 and 300 mg/kg) on serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline mediated behaviour was studied by lithium induced head twitches in rats, haloperidol induced catalepsy in mice and clonidine induced hypothermia in rats respectively. In EPM, PHF (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the time spent in open arms and the number of entries in open arms. In LDA, PHF (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the time spent in lit zone. In OFA, PHF (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the number of assisted rearing and the number of squares traversed. In HBA, PHF (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the number of head poking. In lithium induced head twitches, PHF (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the number of head twitches. In haloperidol induced catalepsy, PHF (300 mg/kg) decreased the duration of catalepsy significantly (P < 0.05) at 60 min. In clonidine-induced hypothermia, PHF (300 mg/kg) did not modify the effect. Drugs must be carefully assessed on EPM test and therefore in the present study EPM is supported by other tests. Present study indicates that Arogh, a polyherbal formulation possess anxiolytic activity. It diminished serotonergic transmission and decreased the duration of catalepsy indicating potentiation of dopaminergic transmission. Thus, Arogh a polyherbal formulation contains bioactive principles which possess anxiolytic activity and modified 5-HT and DA mediated behaviour.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2-2
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• pp.211.3-212
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• 2003

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is one of the most important medicinal herbs in traditional chinese medicine. The object of this study was to determine the effects of water extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and Scutellaria baicalensis metabolite (SBM) on the anxiolytic-like activities in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. The water extracts of SB (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg), and SBM (100 mg/kg) were orally administered to male SD rats for 3 day. All rats were subjected to behavioral tests for the anxiolytic activity at 3 days. (omitted)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.315-319
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• 2009

Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) is a useful Korean herb that has been clinically prescribed for stress-related illness. The objective of the present study was to examine the anti-stress effects of AM on repeated stress-induced alterations of anxiety, learning and memory in rats. Restraint stress was administered for 14 days (2h/day) and AM (400mg/kg) given by oral administration, in the AM group, for the same period. Starting on the eighth day, the rats were tested for spatial memory on the Morris water maze test (MW) and for anxiety on the elevated plus maze (EPM). Changes of expression on immunohistochemistry were studied for cholineacetyl transferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the brain. The results showed that the rats treated with AM had significantly reduced stress-induced deficits on learning and memory on the spatial memory tasks. In addition, the ChAT immunoreactivities were increased. In the EPM, treatment with AM increased the time spent in the open arms (p<0.001) compared to the control group. In addition, AM treatment also normalized increases of TH expression in the LC (p<0.001). In conclusion, administration of AM improved spatial learning and memory and reduced stress-induced anxiety. Thus, the present results suggest that AM is able to recover behavioral and neurochemical impairments induced by stress.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.115-120
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• 2009

Woohwangcheongsimwon (WHCSW) is a traditional oriental medicinal fomula which has been clinically used for treating strokes, palpitation, loss of consciousness and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic properties of WHCSW using an elevated plus-maze (EPM) and hole-board test. Control mice were orally treated with an equal volume of vehicle (10% Tween 80 solution), and positive control mice were treated with diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). In the EPM test, WHCSW significantly increased the percentage of time-spent in the open arms (200 mg/kg, P < 0.05) and the percentage of open arm entries (200 and 400 mg/kg, P < 0.05). WHCSW also significantly increased the number of head-dips in the hole-board test (200 mg/kg, P < 0.05). In addition, the anxiolytic properties of WHCSW examined in the EPM test were inhibited by flumazenil (10 mg/kg, i.p.), a GABA$_A$ antagonist. However, no changes in spontaneous locomotor activity or myorelaxant effects were observed versus 10% Tween 80 controls. These results suggested that WHCSW is an effective anxiolytic agent, and that its anxiolytic effects are mediated via GABA$_A$ receptors.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.18-32
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• 2013

목 적: 본 연구에서는 부인과의 흔한 질환인 갱년기 우울증의 모델로 반복적인 스트레스를 가한 난소적출 흰쥐를 설정하고 교감단이 쥐의 항우울 행동과 면역기능에 미치는 영향을 살표보고자 하였다. 방 법: 난소적출 흰쥐에 2주간 반복적인 스트레스를 주고, 교감단(100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg)을 경구 투여한 후 행동검사로 Elevated plus maze, Forced swimming test를 실시하였고, 혈액검사로 혈청 corticosterone, IL-$1{\beta}$와 IL-4의 변화를 측정하였으며, 뇌내의 IL-$1{\beta}$와 IL-4의 변화를 측정하였다. 결 과: 1. Elevated plus maze에서 교감단 100 mg/kg 투여군은 open arms에서의 보낸시간이 대조군에 비해서 차이가 없었으며, 교감단 400 mg/kg 투여군은 open arms에서 보낸 시간이 대조군에 비하여 증가되었으나 유의성은 없었다. 2. Elevated plus maze에서 교감단 100 mg/kg 투여군은 crossing 횟수가 대조군에 비하여 차이가 없었으며, 교감단 400 mg/kg 투여군은 crossing 횟수가 대조군에 비하여 늘어났으나 유의성은 없었다. 3. Forced swimming test에서 교감단 100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg 투여군은 각각 대조군에 비해서 immobility 시간이 유의성 있게 감소하였다(p<0.01). 4. Corticosterone 측정에서 교감단 400 mg/kg을 투여한 후 Corticosterone 수준이 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.05). 5. 혈청내 IL-$1{\beta}$와 IL-4 측정에서 교감단 투여군은 대조군에 비해 유의성 있는 감소나 증가가 관찰되지 않았다. 6. 뇌내 IL-$1{\beta}$와 IL-4 측정에서 교감단 투여군은 대조군에 비해 유의성 있는 감소나 증가가 관찰되지 않았다. 결 론: 이상의 결과를 보면 교감단은 난소적출 흰쥐의 우울행동의 완화에 유의성 있는 결과를 나타내었으며, 불안 행동검사에서는 유효한 효과가 없었다. 혈청 corticosterone 측정에서 유의성 있는 감소를 나타내어 항우울효과를 나타내었으나, 면역기능에 작용하는 유의성 있는 결과는 관찰되지 않았다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.63-75
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• 2006

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Liriopis Tuber on the nervous protection. Methods : We measured the reaction behavior with EPM(Elevated Plus Maxe) and MWM(Morris Water Maze) after applying restraint stress to rats. Also, the degrees of AchE generation were measured with immunohistochemical method in the regions of hippocampus, and the degree of TH generation in the regions of VTA and LC, respectively. Results : 1. As the results of measuring how long EPM which reflects anxiety reaction stayed in the open arm, there was the trend which can suppress anxiety reaction in the MMD+stress group(Liriopis Tuber+stress) but no statistical significance. The counting results how many EPM passed between opened and closed arm showed suppression trend against a physical activity in the saline+stress group but there was no statistical significance. 2. According to the result of MWM, the saline+stress group showed the learning retardation which means increased time arriving at goal compared to ti1e normal group at the second and third day of measurement. On the contrary, a learning retardation was significantly decreased in the MMD+stress group. Among the probe trial test a memory loss occurred in the saline+stress group, meanwhile memory ability was notably increased in the saline-stress group. 3. The degree of TH generation was investigated at the VTA and LC respectively after test animals treated with drug. In the saline+stress group, TH-immunoreactive cells were significantly increased, and these stress-induced TH increases were suppressed in the saline+stress group at the VTA region. However, the saline+stress group did not show any significant difference. 4. the degree of AchE generation was investigated at the CA3 of hippocampus. The saline+stress group showed that AchE-immunoreactive cells were significantly decreased. Those stress-induced reductions of AchE cells were meaningfully recovered in the saline+stress group. Although the cells showed recovery trend in the region of CA1 of hippocampus, statistical significance was not observed. Conclusion : The results of our study indicate that Liriopis Tuber can improve spatial memory ability of rats applied a restraint stress. This improvement of the spatial memory ability is considered to have an efficacy of nervous protection that Liriopis Tuber suppresses the generation of AchE in the hippocampus region and enhances the generation of TH in the VTA.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.413-417
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• 2012

Chrysanthemum indicum Linne is an ancient herbal medicine used to treat bone and muscle deterioration, ocular inflammation, headache, and anxiety in Korea, China, and Japan. Furthermore, tea derived from Chrysanthemum indicum Linne has been used to treat anxiety by facilitating relaxation and curing insomnia. However, no reports exist on the anxiolytic-like effects of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne water extract (CWE) in mice. In the present study, we investigated the anxiolytic-like effects of CWE using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test in mice. CWE, at a dose of 500 mg/kg (p.o.), significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM compared to a vehicle-injected control group. Moreover, the effect of CWE (500 mg/kg) was blocked by bicuculline (a selective $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist) and WAY 100635 (a selective 5-$HT_{1A}$ receptor antagonist). Taken together, these findings suggest that the anxiolytic-like effects of CWE might be mediated by the $GABA_A$ receptor and the 5-$HT_{1A}$ receptor.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2009

Objectives : Anxiety and depression are stress-related disorders. Their prevalence are increasing rapidly. Ginseng is the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae) which has been used for many centuries in asian region. Anxiolytic effect is one of the popular effects of ginseng. Several studies reported saponin fraction of ginseng, including ginsenoside, is a major ingredient of anxiolytic effect. In present study, we investigated anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effect of non-saponin fraction in mice. Material and Method : Mice were divided into five groups. Experimental groups were administered non-saponin fractions (25 mg/kg; nsp25, 50 mg/kg; nsp50, 100 mg/kg; nsp100) respectively once a day in the morning at 9am for 1 week. Then, we performed elevated plus-maze (EPM) test for investigating the anxiolytic-like effect and forced swimming test (FST) for investigating the antidepressant-like action. Results : Non-saponin fraction 50 mg/kg group increased frequency and time spent (p<0.05) in open arm on EPM test and decreased immobility time (p<0.05) on FST compared with control group. Conclusions : We suggest that non-saponin fraction has anxiolytic-like effect and antidepressant like effect in mice.