Mechanistic Study on the Antidepressant-Like Effect of Danggui-Shaoyao-San,

a Chinese Herbal Formula

 

Zhen Huang, Qing-QiuMao, Xiao-Ming Zhong, Zhao-Yi Li, Feng-Mei Qiu, and Siu-Po Ip

 

Abstract

Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS), a famous Chinese herbal formula, has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases. Previous studies have shown that DSS produces antidepressant-like effect in rodents. This study aims to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying the antidepressant-like action of DDS. The results showed that DSS treatment significantly antagonized reserpine-induced ptosis in mice. In addition, DSS treatment significantly increased sucrose consumption in chronic unpredictable stress- (CUS-) treated mice. DSS treatment also markedly attenuated CUS-induced decreases in noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations in mouse brain. Furthermore, DSS treatment significantly reversed CUS-induced increase in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content and decrease in serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in mice. The results suggest that the antidepressant-like activity of DSS is probably mediated by the modulation of central monoamine neurotransmitter systems and the reduction of oxidative stress.

 

Copyright © 2012 Zhen Huang et al. This is an open access article distributed

under the Creative Commons Attribution License

1.              Introduction

2.              Material and Methods

1.           DSS Preparation

2.           Chemical Reagents

3.           Animals

4.           Reversal of Reserpine-Induced Ptosis in Mice

5.           Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS)

6.           Sucrose Preference Test

7.           Blood and Tissue Collection

8.           Measurement of Monoamine Neurotransmitter Levels

9.           Measurement of MDA Level and SOD Activity

10.       Statistical Analyses

3.              Results

4.              Discussion

5.              References

 

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