The Effects of Suanzaoren decoction on hippocampus, cortex BDNF and TrKB geneexpression in depression rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of Suanzaoren Decoction on hippocampus, cortex BDNF and TrKB gene expression in depression model rats. Methods Depression rat models were established by social-isolated raise and chronic stress stimulation. Suanzaoren decoction was administrated to the models. RT-PCR was adopted to detect the expression of mRNA BDNF and TrKB genes. Results The mRNA expression of BDNF and TrKB in cortex of Suanzaoren decoction high dose group、medium dose group and clomipramine group（0.213±0.094, 0.639±0.023, 1.032±0.015, 1.089±0.014, 1.580±0.012, 1.860±0.019）were all higher than the model group（0.032±0.008, 0.001±0.000）, showing a significant difference among four groups （P〈0.01）, and the mRNA expression of BDNF and TrKB in hippocampus of Suanzaoren decoction high dose group, medium dose group and clomipramine group（0.213±0.094, 0.639±0.023, 1.032±0.015, 1.089±0.014, 1.580± 0.012, 1.860±0.019）were higher than the model group （0.021±0.015, 0.125±0.013）, there was a significant difference between four groups（P〈0.01）. Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of low-dose group of Suanzaoren decoction in both cortex and hippocampus of BDNF and TrKB was not significantly different to the model group（P>0.05）. Conclusion Suanzaoren decoction can increase the expression of BDNF and TrKB gene, promote neuronal proliferation, and resist depression. Key words: Depression; Suanzaoren Decoction; BDNF; TrKB