Abstract
Conventional antidepressants have a disadvantage in delayed onset of efficacy. Here, we aimed to evaluate the immediate and persistent antidepressant-like action of a classic herbal medicine Chaihu-jia-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLM) as well as the action of CLM on hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) over time. CLM consists of Xiaochaihu decoction (XchD), Longgu-Muli (LM) and several other herbs. The contribution of constituent herbal formula XchD and other parts of CLM was also assessed. Following a single dose of CLM, tail suspension test (TST), forced swim test (FST), and novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSF) were performed. The antidepressant activity of XchD, its interaction with LM or remaining parts of CLM was also examined after a single administration. BDNF expression in the hippocampus was examined at 30 min and 24 hr post a single CLM. A single administration of half of clinical dose of CLM elicited antidepressant effects at TST 30 min post administration, and lasted for 72 hr. Furthermore, CLM also reduced the latency to eat in NSF test. A single proportional dose of XchD induced antidepressant effects at 30 min and lasted for 48 hr, whereas the effect lasted for 72 hr when combined with either LM or the remaining parts of CLM. BDNF expression increased at 30 min and persisted at least for 24 hr after a single dose of CLM. The results support that Chaihu-jia-Longgu-Muli decoction was capable to immediately and enduringly elicit antidepressant activity via enhancement of hippocampal BDNF expression, in which the constituent Xiaochaihu decoction played the primary role.
Highlights
Depression, a widespread incapacitating psychiatric condition, poses a substantial health threat to society [1]
2.1 g/kg, which is a half of equivalent clinical dose, was used for verification of the rapid antidepressant potential of Chaihu-jia-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLM) in the following tests
By 24 hr, Xiaochaihu decoction (XchD) demonstrated the antidepressant effect in forced swim test (FST) (P
Summary
Depression, a widespread incapacitating psychiatric condition, poses a substantial health threat to society [1]. Depression is becoming one of the biggest contributors to disease burden worldwide [2]. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressants. Their antidepressant effects require waiting for several weeks, which is a significant disadvantage to individuals who are vulnerable to suicide [3]. Approximately two-thirds of patients with depression respond to SSRIs [4]. Adverse reactions to SSRIs are common, including abnormal gastrointestinal function, sleeplessness, and sexual dysfunction etc [5,6,7]
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