Abstract
Postmenopausal depression is closely associated with depletion of estrogen which modulates transmission of 5-HT, a key neurotransmitter that regulates stress-managing circuits in the brain. In this study, antidepressive efficacy of white ginseng (Panax gingseng Meyer, WG) was evaluated in stressed ovariectomized rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats were ovariectomized and repeatedly restraint stressed for 2 weeks (2h/day). Thirty minutes before restraint stress, rats were administered saline (control), WG 200 mg/kg (p.o.), WG 400 mg/kg (p.o.), or fluoxetine (PC, 10 mg/kg, i.p.). Tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) were performed to assess antidepressant effect of WG. After behavioral tests, levels of serum corticosterone (CORT) and hippocampal 5-HT were measured. Significant decrease of immobility time in TST and FST was shown in rats administered with PC or WG 400 compared to the control. WG200-treated rats showed remarkable reduction in immobility time of TST. PC, WG 200, or WG 400-administred group exhibited significant reduction of CORT compared to the control. PC or WG-treated rats exhibited remarkable increase in hippocampal 5-HT concentration compared to the control. Hippocampal 5-HT levels in WG groups were higher than those in the PC group. The present study demonstrated that WG had antidepressant efficacy in an animal model of menopausal depression. Treatment with WG enhanced hippocampal 5-HT level while suppressing depressive symptom and serum CORT level. These results provide evidence that WG plays an important role in activating serotonergic neurons in stressful situation, suggesting that WG might be a reliable natural alternative of antidepressant drugs to treat menopausal depression.
Highlights
Postmenopausal women experience a number of physiological and psychological changes that are closely associated with decreased circulating estrogen due to depletion of ovarian follicle [1, 2]
The present study demonstrated that administration of white ginseng (WG) could ameliorate depressive like behavior, inhibit increment of stress hormone, and enhance hippocampal serotonergic activity in an animal model of postmenopausal depression caused by ovariectomy and repeated restraint stress
Results of this study demonstrate that white ginseng has an antidepressant efficacy in an animal model of menopausal depression
Summary
Postmenopausal women experience a number of physiological and psychological changes that are closely associated with decreased circulating estrogen due to depletion of ovarian follicle [1, 2]. Since estrogen influences transmission of neurotransmitters involved in the pathophysiology of depression, menopausal women have high risk of developing depression [3]. Estrogen enhances serotonergic activity by stimulating serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) synthesis and transmission and downregulating degradation of 5HT [4]. Serotonergic neurons from the brainstem innervate to several brain regions including the hippocampus which is well-known to play an important role in regulating cognitive functions and pathological development of mood disorders [5]. A variety of 5-HT receptors and reuptake transporters are expressed in rodent hippocampus. They are involved in maintaining homeostasis of brain function [6]. Decreased hippocampal 5-HT level is accompanied by depressive behavior including
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