Antidepressant-like effects of auraptenol in mice

Xiaosu Gu,Kaifu Ke,Chunfeng Liu,Jiansheng Shi,Cai-Yi Zhang,Yong Zhou,Fen Wang,Lihua Shen,Xiang Chen,Chenchen Du,Xiaomei Wu

doi:10.1038/srep04433

Abstract

Depression is a major psychiatric disorder affecting nearly 21% of the world population and imposes a substantial health burden on society. Current available antidepressants are not adequate to meet the clinical needs. Here we report that auraptenol, an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine, angelicae dahuricae radix, had antidepressant-like effects in mice models of depression. In mouse forced swimming test and tail suspension test, two validated models of depression, auraptenol dose-dependently decreased the immobility duration within the dose range of 0.05–0.4 mg/kg. In addition, the antidepressant-like effects of auraptenol was significantly averted by a selective serotonin 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (1 mg/kg). These doses that affected the immobile response did not affect locomotor activity. In summary, this study for the first time identified an active component from the herbal medicine angelicae dahuricae radix that possesses robust antidepressant-like efficacy in mice. These data support further exploration for the possibility of developing auraptenol as a novel antidepressant agent in the treatment of major depression disorders.

Highlights

Depression is a major psychiatric disorder affecting nearly 21% of the world population and imposes a substantial health burden on society
This study for the first time identified an active component from the herbal medicine angelicae dahuricae radix that possesses robust antidepressant-like efficacy in mice
Recent phytochemical research has purified and identified several active coumarin components of angelicae dahuricae radix[7], and further pharmacological studies are needed to identify the active coumarin component underlying the antidepressant-like actions of angelicae dahuricae radix

Summary

Introduction

Depression is a major psychiatric disorder affecting nearly 21% of the world population and imposes a substantial health burden on society. We report that auraptenol, an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine, angelicae dahuricae radix, had antidepressant-like effects in mice models of depression. This study for the first time identified an active component from the herbal medicine angelicae dahuricae radix that possesses robust antidepressant-like efficacy in mice. These data support further exploration for the possibility of developing auraptenol as a novel antidepressant agent in the treatment of major depression disorders. This study reported the potent antidepressant-like effects of an active coumarin component of angelicae dahuricae radix, auraptenol (8-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl)-7-methoxy-2H-chromen-2-one, in mice models of depression. Receptor mechanism underlying the antidepressant-like effects of auraptenol was studied

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Results

Conclusion