• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 1985

Majarine that was isolated from Berberis Koreasra Palibin (Berberidaceae) is the isoquinoline alkaloid. The effects of dopaminergic and serotonergic antagonists on majarine induced changes in body temperature were studied in the mouse. Intraperitoneal administration of majarine produced dose-dependent hypothermia. At a dose of 0.1 mg/kg, majarine caused a slight increase in body temperature. Majarine-induced hyperthermia was attenuated by the 5-HT antagonist, cyproheptadine However, it caused hyothermia in mice pretreated with the DA antagonist, haloperidol, and hyperthermia in mice pretreated with haloperidol and cyproheptadine in comparision with haloperidol pretreatment. At a dose of 2.0 mg/kg, majarine-induced hypothermia was attenuated by haloperidol and cyproheptadine, respectively. In reserpine pretreated mice, majarine produced dose-dependent hypothermia. At a dose of 0.1 mg/kg, majarine pretreated with haloperidol caused no significant effect in body temperature. At a dose of 2.0 mg/kg, majarine-induced hypothermia was attenuated by haloperidol pretreatment in mice treated with reserpine and ${\alpha}$-methyl-p-tyrosine. These data suppose that both dopaminergic and serotonergic mechanisms in the brain mediate the effects of majarine on body temperature. We propose that majarine directly stimulate DA receptor, which secondarilly activate 5-HT neurons to cause changes in body temperature.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 1994

This study was performed to assess the amount of altered serotonergic responsivity in individuals with repeated aggressive behaviors compared with normal controls. Sixteen aggressive(delinquent criminals with repeated aggressive behaviors) and seventeen controls(medical college students) were selected and assessed their severity of aggression by several psychological instruments. The platelet $^3H$-imipramine binding sites which is known to correlate the serotonergic function of the central nervous system were measured. The results are as follows. 1) Mean scores of physical aggression in the aggressive subjects were found to be significantly higher than normal controls(p<.01). And impulsivity, hostility, psychoticism in the aggressives were found higher than controls, also. 2) In the paltelet $^3H$-imipramine binding, the aggressives had a tendency of reduced maximal binding sites(Bmax) comparing with controls(p=.0841). 3) There was no statistically significant differences between two groups in the binding coefficients(Kd) of platelet $^3H$ Imipramine binding. 4) The value of maximal binding sites(Bmax) showed significant inverse correlations with aggressive scale scores of PFAV(r=-.6311), and physical aggression scale scores of CTS(r=-.5377).

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.119-138
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• 2000

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the bee venom(BV) aqua-acupuncture on the neuronal activities of serotonergic(5-HT) system in the brainstem. After the BV aqua-acupuncture was applied on Chok-Samni(ST36) and the gluteal part(Blank locus) in rats, the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons was counted by using computerized image analyzing system. Also, the number of colocalization between 5-HT containing neurons Fos immunoreactive neurons were analyzed by using the double immunohistochemical technique. The results of the experiments were summarized as follows : 1. In almost every neucli, the Chok-Samni group and Blank locus group showed more increase in the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons than the control group. Especially, in Arc, DR, LC, RMg, Gi, PAG Rost and PAG LV, the Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the control group. Also, in PAG LV Mid and Arc, Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the Blank locus group. 2. In DR and PAG LV Mid, Chok-Samni group and the Blank locus group showed more significant increase in the number of colocalization between 5-HT containing neurons and Fos immunoreactive neurons than the control group after the BV aqua- acupuncture. Also, the Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the Blank locus group. Consequently, the BV aqua-acupuncture increased more potent the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons and the activity of serotonergic neurons. Furthermore, the BV aqua-acupuncture was more effective on Chok-Samni than Blank locus group. These results indicate that the BV aqua-acupuncture is very effective therapy to control pain. The therapeutic effect of BV aqua-acupunture may associated with the endogenous modulatory system such as serotonin Those data from the study can be applied to establish the effective treatment of the BV for pain control in the clinical field.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.141-144
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• 1995

Serotonergic neurons in brainstem play important roles in the endogenous descending pain inhibitory system. To illucidate the involvement of glutamate receptors in the regulation of brainstem serotonergic neurons, we studied the effects of glutamate receptor agonists on 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) release from cultured neurons of rat fetal (gestational age 14th day) brainstem. Cultured cells maintained for 10 days in vitro were stimulated for 30 minutes with agonists of glutamate receptor subtypes at 10-1,000 micromolar concentration. Glutamate (10-1,000 M) increased 5-HT release in a concentration-dependent manner. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid $(NMDA)(10-1,000\;{\mu}M)$ increased 5-HT release in a concentration-dependent manner. Non-NMDA receptor agonists, kainate and $AMPA(3-1,000\;{\mu}M)$ also concentration-dependently increased 5-HT release. These results suggest that both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors regulate 5-HT release from brainstem serotonergic neurons.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.238-243
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• 2010

In the present study, the antinociceptive profiles of Viola tricolor L. (V. tricolor L.) extract were examined in ICR mice. V. tricolor L. extract administered orally (200mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect as measured by the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. In addition, V. tricolor L. extract attenuated the writhing numbers in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, the cumulative nociceptive response time for intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (0.7 ${\mu}g$) was diminished by V. tricolor L. extract. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with yohimbine (${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor antagonist) attenuated antinociceptive effect induced by V. tricolor L. extract in the writhing test. However, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) or methysergide (5-HT serotonergic receptor antagonist) did not affect antinociception induced by V. tricolor L. extract in the writhing test. Our results suggest that V. tricolor L. extract shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Furthermore, this antinociceptive effect of V. tricolor L. extract may be mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor, but not opioidergic and serotonergic receptors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2012

In the present study, the antinociceptive profiles of $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract were examined in ICR mice. $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract administered orally (200 mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect as measured by the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. In addition, $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract attenuated the writhing numbers in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, the cumulative nociceptive response time for intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (0.7 ${\mu}g$) was diminished by $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with yohimbine (${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor antagonist) attenuated antinociceptive effect induced by $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract in the writhing test. However, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) or methysergide (5-HT serotonergic receptor antagonist) did not affect antinociception induced by $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract in the writhing test. Our results suggest that $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Furthermore, this antinociceptive effect of $Agrimonia$ $pilosa$ $Ledeb$ extract may be mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor, but not opioidergic and serotonergic receptors.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2004

Objectives:Recently, polymorphisms of several serotonin genes have been suggested to be associated with suicide, but the results are still unclear. We examined whether the T102C polymorphisms of the serotonin 2A receptor gene and the G861C polymorphisms of the serotonin 1B receptor gene were associated with suicidal behavior using drug intoxication. Methods:The subjects were 52 patients who visited emergency room with suicidal behaviors. Fifty controls were selected from healthy volunteers matched for sex and age to the suicide subjects. The polymorphisms were analyzed with TaqMan$^{(R)}$ assay using primers based on previous studies. Results:The T102C polymorphism of the serotonin 2A receptor gene showed no significant difference between the suicidal attempters and controls in both genotype and allele frequency analyses(p=0.179 and p=0.422, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the suicidal attempters and the controls in the G861C polymorphism of the serotonin 1B receptor gene and any significant effect of the genotype distributions or the allele frequencies was not observed(p=0.092 and p=0.987, respectively). Conclusion:These findings suggest that the T102C polymorphism in serotonin 2A receptor gene and the G861C polymorphism in serotonin 1B receptor gene are not related to the susceptibility to suicide attempts using drugs. To clarify the genetic influences of the serotonergic system on suicidal behavior, the polymorphisms of other candidate genes in the serotonergic system should be studied with larger numbers of subjects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.285-289
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• 2010

In the present study, the antinociceptive profiles of $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract were examined in ICR mice. The $Campanula$ $punctata$ contain a large dose of saponin. $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract administered orally (200 mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect as measured by the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. In addition, $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract attenuated the writhing numbers in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, the cumulative nociceptive response time for intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P ($0.7{\mu}g$) was diminished by $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with yohimbine (${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor antagonist) attenuated antinociceptive effect induced by $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract in the writhing test. However, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) or methysergide (5-HT serotonergic receptor antagonist) did not affect antinociception induced by $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract in the writhing test. Our results suggest that $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Furthermore, this antinociceptive effect of $Campanula$ $punctata$ extract may be mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic receptor, but not opioidergic and serotonergic receptors.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.644-654
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• 2020

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental disorder induced by traumatic stress and often accompanied by depression and/or anxiety, may involve an imbalance in the neurotransmitters associated with the fear response. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has long been used as a traditional medicine and is known to be involved in a variety of pharmacological activities. We used the open field test and forced swimming test to examine the effects of KRG on the depression-like response of rats after exposure to single prolonged stress (SPS), leading to activation of the serotonergic system. Methods: Male rats received KRG (30, 50, and 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) once daily for 14 days after exposure to SPS. Results: Daily KRG administration significantly improved depression-like behaviors in the forced swimming test, increased the number of lines crossed and time spent in the central zone in the open field test, and decreased freezing behavior in contextual and cued fear conditioning. KRG treatment attenuated SPS-induced decreases in serotonin (5-HT) tissue concentrations in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. The increased 5-HT concentration during KRG treatment may be partially attributable to the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid/5-HT ratio in the hippocampus of rats with PTSD. These effects may be caused by the activation of hippocampal genes encoding tryptophan hydroxylase-1 and 2 mRNA levels. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRG has an antidepressant effect in rats subjected to SPS and may represent an effective use of traditional medicine for the treatment of PTSD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.19-32
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• 2005

Objectives : to evaluate the analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture on Choksamni (ST36) in the collagen-induced arthritis rats and investigate the role played by serotonergic receptor subtypes (5-HT1a, 5-HT2a) in the antinociceptive effect of bee venom acupuncture in a thermal hyperalgesia test Methods : Experiments were performed on 5 week-aged 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats according to National Institute of Health guidelines and the ethical guidelines of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Arthritis was induced with arthrogenic collagen emulsion (Bovine type II collagen ${\mu}g$ with incomplete Freund's adjuvant $100\;{\mu}g$). The onset of arthritis was considered to be present when erythema and swelling were detected in at least one joint. The thermal hyperalgesia was evaluated weekly with tail flick test in the rats of severity grade 3 without any injury at tail and foot (including inflammation, ulceration, snap). In the fourth week after first immunization, the analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture (Choksamni, ST36) was measured with consecutive tail flick latency after intraperitoneal injection of spiroxatrine (1mg/kg) and spiperone (1mg/kg). Results : Chronic inflammatory pain was induced as time elapsed after the immunization of arthrogenic collagen and the maximum value was reached from third to fifth week. Chronic inflammatory pain induced by CIA was inhibited by bee venom acupuncture on the left ST36. The analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture was inhibited by intraperitoneal injection of 5-HT1a antagonist spiroxatrine and 5-HT2a antagonist spiperone. Conclusions : Therefore, a conclusion. that the analgesic effect of bee venom acupuncture in the chronic inflammatory pain is partially mediated by 5-HT1a and 5-HT2a receptors can be made.