Antidepressant-like effects of Chaihu-Shugan-San via c-jun amino-terminal kinase signal transduction in rat models of depression

Abstract

Chaihu-Shugan-San (CHSGS), a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal formula, recorded in Jingyue Quanshu, has been indicated that oral administration of the extract from it can remit depressive disorder. C-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) signal transduction play a key role in the apoptosis of nerve cells, be reported closely correlated with depression. This study was designed to investigate CHSGS antidepressant-like effects in rat models of depression and probe its possible mechanism. The classical experimental depression models, chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS), were used to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of CHSGS. The extracts were administered orally for 14 days, while the parallel positive control was given at the same time using fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLU). The expressions of JNK in the hippocampus were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR and Western Blot assay. The results showed that CHSGS could obviously improve the depressive state of the model rats and its mechanism may be correlated with regulating the expressions of JNK in the hippocampus. Key words: Antidepressant, Chaihu-Shugan-San, fluoxetine, open field test, c-jun amino-terminal kinase, signal transduction.