Abstract
Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po decoction (ZZHPD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been used for treatment of depressive-like symptoms for centuries. However, studies of its antidepressant effect and mechanism are challenging, owing to the complex pathophysiology of depression and complexity of ZZHPD with multiple constituents acting on different metabolic pathways. The present study was designed to develop a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for simultaneous determination of depression biomarkers: tryptophan (Trp), phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), hippuric acid (HA), phenaceturic acid (PA), creatinine (Cr), glutamic acid (Glu), succinic acid (SA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as well as to study the antidepressant effect and potential mechanism of ZZHPD based on holistic view of an organism. The analysis was performed on a CAPCELL PAK C18 column with methanol and 0.01% formic acid in water using gradient elution. The method showed a good linearity (r(2)>0.99) with the other validation parameters were within acceptance range. The results demonstrated Trp, Phe, Tyr, IAA, HA, Cr, Glu and SA levels were significant lower in model group, while PA and GABA were significant higher than those in control group. The rats with ZZHPD treatment showed a tendency of bringing the levels of all these biomarkers to normal except Cr and Glu. It could be a powerful manner to provide mechanistic insights into the therapeutic effects of complex prescriptions and further understand pathophysiology of depression to assist in clinical diagnosis.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.