• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.213-222
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• 2014

Abnormal adaptation of the stress-response system following traumatic stress can lead to alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis that may contribute to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study used several behavioral tests to investigate the anxiolytic-like and antidepressant activity of L-tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP) in an experimental rat model of anxiety and depression induced by single prolonged stress (SPS), an animal model of PTSD. Male rats were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with vehicle or varied doses of THP 30 min prior to SPS for 8 consecutive days. Daily THP (50 mg/kg) administration significantly increased the number and duration of open arm visits in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, reduced the anxiety index, increased the risk assessment, and increased the number of head dips over the borders of the open arms after SPS. THP was also associated with increased time spent at the center of the open field, reduced grooming behaviors in the EPM test, and reduced time spent immobile in the forced swimming test (FST). It also blocked the decrease in neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the increase in corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) expression in the hypothalamus. This is the first study to determine that THP exerts pronounced anxiolytic-like and antidepressant effects on the development of the behavioral and biochemical symptoms associated with PTSD, indicating its prophylactic potential. Thus, THP reversed several behavioral impairments triggered by the traumatic stress of SPS and is a potential non-invasive therapeutic intervention for PTSD.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.357-366
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• 2016

Pro-inflammatory cytokine and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are modulated in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigated the effects of ibuprofen (IBU) on enhanced anxiety in a rat model of PTSD induced by a single prolonged stress (SPS) procedure. The effects of IBU on inflammation and BDNF modulation in the hippocampus and the mechanisms underlying for anxiolytic action of IBU were also investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given IBU (20 or 40 mg/kg, i.p., once daily) for 14 days. Daily IBU (40 mg/kg) administration significantly increased the number and duration of open arm visits in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, reduced the anxiety index in the EPM test, and increased the time spent in the center of an open field after SPS. IBU administration significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, $interleukin-1{\beta}$, and BDNF, in the hippocampus, as assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemistry. These findings suggest that IBU exerts a therapeutic effect on PTSD that might be at least partially mediated by alleviation of anxiety symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory activity and BDNF expression in the rat brain.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.708-720
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• 2012

In this study, we assessed the effects of ginsenoside Re (GRe) administration on repeated immobilization stress-induced behavioral alterations using the forced swimming test (FST), the elevated plus maze (EPM), and the active avoidance conditioning test (AAT). Additionally, we examined the effect of GRe on the central adrenergic system by observing changes in neuronal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in the rat brain. Male rats received 10, 20, or 50 mg/kg GRe (i.p.) 30 min before daily exposures to repeated immobilization stress (2 h/day) for 10 days. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to repeated immobilization was confirmed by measuring serum levels of corticosterone (CORT) and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Repeated immobilization stress increased immobility in the FST and reduced open-arm exploration in the EPM test. It also increased the probability of escape failures in the AAT test, indicating a reduced avoidance response. Daily administration of GRe during the repeated immobilization stress period significantly inhibited the stress-induced behavioral deficits in these behavioral tests. Administration of GRe also significantly blocked the increase in TH expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) and the decrease in BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus. Taken together, these findings indicate that administration of GRe prior to immobilization stress significantly improved helpless behaviors and cognitive impairment, possibly through modulating the central noradrenergic system in rats. These findings suggest that GRe may be a useful agent for treating complex symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.422-430
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• 2012

Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated restraint stress in rodents produces increases in depression and anxiety-like behaviors and alters the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. The current study focused on the impact of Bupleurum falcatum (BF) extract administration on repeated restraint stress-induced behavioral responses using the forced swimming test (FST) and elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Immunohistochemical examinations of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in rat brain were also conducted. Male rats received daily doses of 20, 50, or 100 mg/kg (i.p.) BF extract for 15 days, 30 min prior to restraint stress (4 h/day). Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in response to repeated restraint stress was confirmed base on serum corticosterone levels and CRF expression in the hypothalamus. Animals that were pre-treated with BF extract displayed significantly reduced immobility in the FST and increased open-arm exploration in the EPM test in comparison with controls. BF also blocked the increase in TH expression in the locus coeruleus of treated rats that experienced restraint stress. Together, these results demonstrate that BF extract administration prior to restraint stress significantly reduces depression and anxiety-like behaviors, possibly through central adrenergic mechanisms, and they suggest a role for BF extract in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.418-424
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• 2012

Repeated stress induces corticosterone release. However, it is not clear that stress results in further elevation of corticosterone levels, and the roles of released corticosterone to aggravate stress-related symptoms are also not clear. This study investigated whether neuronal modulation was induced in the amygdala after two kinds of stress, that is, such as electric shock and corticosterone injection. It was found that stress by electric shock decreased the expression of tyrosine hydoroxylase (TH) in the amygdala while the expression of pERK was increased. However, there is no difference in the expressions of TH and pERK in the frontal cortex compared with those of the control group. The level of corticosterone was significantly increased in the serum after stress. To determine the effect of corticosterone on the induction of anxiety and the expression of TH, the rats received corticosterone (20 mg or 40 mg/kg i.p.) for 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks, respectively. The spent time in open arms of the EPM (elevated plus maze) test was significantly decreased after 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks. The time spent in open arms of the EPM test after repeated injections of corticosterone was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of TH in the amygdala was reduced after following repeated corticosterone treatment for 2 weeks and 3 weeks. Collectively, this study suggests that corticosterone has a major role in the induction of anxiety and the modulation of TH expression, at least, in the amygdala.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.819-829
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• 2022

Background: Anxiolytic properties of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been previously reported. However, the exact mechanism(s) of action remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effect of KRG on immobilization-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice and explored the involvement of the serotonin and GABA systems and BDNF in the anxiolytic action. Methods: Mice were orally administered with KRG (200 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks and immobilized once daily for 2 h. p-Chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA) was intraperitoneally injected on day 22-28, and flumazenil or bicuculline was injected on day 25-28. After behavioral evaluations, brains were dissected for biochemical analyses. Results: KRG improved immobilization-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice, as assessed by the elevated plus maze (EPM) and marble burying tests (MBT). The anxiolytic effect of KRG was comparable to that of fluoxetine, a reference drug clinically used for anxiety disorders. A serotonin synthesis inhibitor, p-CPA, blocked the effect of KRG in the EPM and MBT, indicating the requirement of serotonin synthesis for anxiolytic action. In addition, the anxiolytic effect of KRG was inhibited by bicuculline (a GABA_A antagonist) in MBT, implying the involvement of GABA transmission. Western blotting analyses revealed that KRG upregulated the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase and GABA_A receptor in the brain, which was blocked by p-CPA. Enhanced BDNF expression by KRG in the hippocampus was also indicated to mediate the anxiolytic action of KRG in immobilized mice. Conclusion: KRG exhibited the anxiolytic effect in immobilized mice by multiple mechanisms of action, involving enhanced serotonin and GABA transmissions and BDNF expression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.113-125
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• 2023

It has been reported that stressful events in early life influence behavior in adulthood and are associated with different psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. Maternal separation (MS) is a representative animal model for reproducing childhood stress. It is used as an animal model for depression, and has well-known effects, such as increasing anxiety behavior and causing abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study investigated the effect of MS on anxiety or aggression-like behavior and the number of GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus. Mice were separated from their dams for four hours per day for 19 d from postnatal day two. Elevated plus maze (EPM) test, resident-intruder (RI) test, and counted glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) or parvalbumin (PV) positive cells in the hippocampus were executed using immunohistochemistry. The maternal segregation group exhibited increased anxiety and aggression in the EPM test and the RI test. GAD67-positive neurons were increased in the hippocampal regions we observed: dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, CA1, subiculum, presubiculum, and parasubiculum. PV-positive neurons were increased in the DG, CA3, presubiculum, and parasubiculum. Consistent with behavioral changes, corticosterone was increased in the MS group, suggesting that the behavioral changes induced by MS were expressed through the effect on the HPA axis. Altogether, MS alters anxiety and aggression levels, possibly through alteration of cytoarchitecture and output of the ventral hippocampus that induces the dysfunction of the HPA axis.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.43-64
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Jowiseungcheongtang compared with St. John's wort in the chronic mild stress(CMS) animal model of depression. Wistar rats were used for this study. The subjects were divided into 4 groups (Naive group: without CMS procedure, CMS-vehicle: water was administered during CMS procedure, CMS-Jowiseungcheongtang: Jowiseungcheongtang was administered after 5 weeks of CMS procedure, CMS-St. John's wort: St. John's wort was administered after 5 weeks of CMS procedure) During 9 weeks of CMS procedure, The change of the consumption of sucrose and the changes of weights were measured. After CMS procedure, Morris water maze test, open field test, elevated plus maze test and Western blotting were measured. The results were as follows. 1. The consumption of sucrose solution was significantly reversed in Jowiseungcheongtang group and relatively reversed in St. John's Wort group at 7 week. 2. In open field test, Neither Jowiseungcheongtang nor St. John's wort group showed statistically significant change of exploratory activity. In EPM test, St. John's Wort group showed significant decrease of total arm entry in comparison with Naive group. And Jowiseungcheongtang group was showed no significant change. 3. In Morris water maze test, St. John's Wort group showed significant increase in escape latency of the last Morris water maze trial. And in water maze probe test, there was no significant change. 4. St. John's Wort group showed relative increase in LP1 division of 5HT1A receptor compared with Naive group. Both St. John's Wort and Jowiseungcheongtang group showed relative increase in P2 division of GluRl compared with Naive group. These results suggest that Jowiseungcheongtang is as effective as St. John's Wort in the treatment of depression.

• 사상체질의학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.151-163
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• 2008

1. Objective This study was done to identify the anti-stress effect of Hyeongbangdojeok-san (HDS), Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang(YST) in Soyangin. 2. Methods Experimental animals were composed of YST, HDS+stress groups which were administered each by 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and the Saline+stress group. On the 1st day, making the rats forced swim and on the 2nd day, applying Forced swimming test to the rats. After FST, the levels of Corticosterone in the blood were measured. For the study of learning retardation, memory ability and anxiety reaction, experimental animals were composed of YST, HDS+restraint stress groups which were administered each by 400mg/kg, no stress group and the Saline+restraint stress group. Restraint stress were applied 2 hours a day for 3 weeks. On the last day of the 3rd week, Elevated Plus Maze(EPM) was applied to the groups and Morris Water Maze(MWM) was applied to the groups for 7 days. 3. Results 1. As the results of measuring FST which reflects depression, the YST+stress group and the HDS+stress group showed significant effect in comparison with the Saline+stress group. The levels of Corticosterone in the blood were decreased only in the 400mg/kg YST+stress group. 2. 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 HDS+restraint stress group bur no statistical significance. But there was any suppression of anxiety reaction in the YST+restraint stress group. 3. According to the result of MWM, the saline+restraint stress group showed the learning retardation which means increased time arriving at goal compared to the normal group at the second and third day of measurement. On the contrary, a learning retardation was significantly decreased in the YST+restraint stress group at the third day of measurement. 4. Among the Probe trial test a memory loss occurred in the saline+restraint stress group, but memory ability was significantly increased in the YST+restraint stress group. 4. Conclusion: As the results above, Soyangin Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang has significant influence to the antidepression effect, the learning retardation, the anxiety reaction and also in the Hormone level. Hyeongbangdojeok-san has significant influence to the antidepression effect, in the Hormone level, bur not to the learning retardation and anxiety reaction. prefer to drink cold water, and who are suffering from chronic gastritis.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Cheongsimondam-tang(COT) on the animal model of depression induced immobilization stress. Method 1) Male rats were used for this experiment. The subject were divided into 4 groups(1. normal 2. saline solution administered during immobilization stress treatment 3. COT of 100mg/kg administered 4. COT of 400mg/kg administered). 2) Immobilization stress was treated for 1 hours on day. During 2 days of immobilization stress treatment, they were executed forced swimming test, passive avoidance test, elevated plus maze test. Corticosterone in blood were measured Results 1) In EPM test, stress group showed significantly increased anxiety, COT groups showed significantly decreased anxiety. 2) In forced swimming test, COT groups did not show significantly decreased immobilization. 3) In passive avoidance test, stress group showed significantly decreased learning execution, COT groups showed significantly increased learning execution. 4) Stress group showed significantly increase in serum level of corticosterone, COT of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased serum level of corticosterone. Conclusion : These results suggest that Cheongsimondam-tang(COT) is effective in the treatment of depression.