Anti-anxiety Effects Research Articles

Anxiolytic effect of YangshenDingzhi granules: Integrated network pharmacology and hippocampal metabolomics.

Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental diseases. It is mainly characterized by a sudden, recurring but indescribable panic, fear, tension and/or anxiety. Yangshendingzhi granules (YSDZ) are widely used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, but its active ingredients and underlying mechanisms are not yet clear. This study integrates network pharmacology and metabolomics to investigate the potential mechanism of action of YSDZ in a rat model of anxiety. First, potential active ingredients and targets were screened by network pharmacology. Then, predictions were verified by molecular docking, molecular dynamics and western blotting. Metabolomics was used to identify differential metabolites and metabolic pathways. All results were integrated for a comprehensive analysis. Network pharmacology analysis found that Carotene, β-sitosterol, quercetin, Stigmasterol, and kaempferol in YSDZ exert anxiolytic effects mainly by acting on IL1β, GABRA1, PTGS1, ESR1, and TNF targets. Molecular docking results showed that all the affinities were lower than -5kcal/mol, and the average affinities were -7.7764kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that RMSD was lower than 2.5 A, and the overall conformational changes of proteins were small, indicating that the small molecules formed stable complexes with proteins. The results of animal experiments showed that YSDZ exerts anxiolytic effects by regulating GABRA1 and TNF-α, ameliorating pathological damage in hippocampal CA1, and regulating metabolic pathways such as thiamine, cysteine and methionine metabolism, lysine biosynthesis and degradation. Altogether, we reveal multiple mechanisms through which YSDZ exerts its anti-anxiety effects, which may provide a reference for its clinical application and drug development.

Protective Effects of Resveratrol on Adolescent Social Isolation-Induced Anxiety-Like Behaviors via Modulating Nucleus Accumbens Spine Plasticity and Mitochondrial Function in Female Rats.

Social isolation (SI) is a major risk factor for mood disorders in adolescents. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is an important reward center implicated in psychiatric disorders. Resveratrol (RSV) is one of the most effective natural polyphenols with anti-anxiety and depression effects. However, little is known about the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of RSV on behavioral abnormality of adolescent social stress. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of RSV on the amelioration of SI-induced behavioral abnormality. We found that SI induced anxiety-like behavior and social dysfunction in isolated female rats. Moreover, SI reduced mitochondrial number and ATP levels and increased thin spine density in the NAc. RNA sequencing results showed that SI changed the transcription pattern in the NAc, including 519 upregulated genes and 610 downregulated genes, especially those related to mitochondrial function. Importantly, RSV ameliorated behavioral and spine abnormalities induced by SI and increased NAc ATP levels and mitochondria number. Furthermore, RSV increased the activity of cytochrome C oxidase (COX) and upregulated mRNA levels of Cox5a, Cox6a1 and Cox7c. These results demonstrate that the modulation of spine plasticity and mitochondrial function in the NAc by RSV has a therapeutic effect on mood disorders induced by social isolation.

Effects of structured exercises on selected psychological domains in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Southern Ethiopia institution-based study

BackgroundPsychological disorders are common among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effect of exercise training on psychological disorders like anxiety and depression has not been well studied in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of structured aerobic and resistance exercises on psychological domains among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in southern Ethiopia.MethodWe began by approaching 97 type 2 diabetic patients who regularly attend follow-up clinics. The 24 study participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: aerobic exercise (n = 6), resistance exercise (n = 6), combined aerobic and resistance exercise (n = 6), and control group (n = 6). For each arm, the interventions were a structured workout package that was completed without interrupting usual clinical follow-up. The control groups, on the other hand, were kept as follow-up clinical cases with daily routine work. A paired t-test was performed to compare the means and mean differences of each exercise group’s pretest and posttest. A Tukey’s post hoc test was performed to compare mean differences between groups. The significance level was set at P < 0.05.ResultA more significant change was obtained in the combined aerobic and resistance exercise on anxiety and depression (p = 0.006), social dysfunction (p = 0.009), loss of confidence (p = 0.012) in particular, and psychological wellbeing (p = 0.010) in general. Resistance exercise alone had a significant impact on social dysfunction (p = 0.010), anxiety and depression (p = 0.017), and psychological well-being (p = 0.012) in general. Changes in social dysfunction (p = 0.010), anxiety and depression (p = 0.030), and psychological well-being (p = 0.018) were also influenced by aerobic exercise. The study found no significant change in depression and anxiety among control groups.ConclusionAs a result, the combined effect of aerobic and resistance exercise had a greater influence on improving anxiety and depression, social dysfunction, loss of confidence in particular, and psychological well-being in general among patients with type 2 diabetes. In other words, the present evidence proves the betterment of combined aerobic and resistance exercises alone followed by resistance exercise alone and aerobic exercise alone compared with non-exercise groups seems to upgrade psychological wellbeing by setting up three main benefits named as: (1) anti-anxiety and depression effects; (2) anti-social dysfunction effects; and (3) anti-loss of confidence effects. This suggests that patients with diabetes who exercise regularly enhance their psychological well-being.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Oral Phycocyanin-Rich Spirulina Extracts in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Aim: Spirulina is a microalga that is widely used as a food supplement and is regarded as having performance-enhancing and health-promoting properties. We conducted a preliminary evaluation of the possible anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, pro-socialization and cognition-enhancing effects of Spirulina in mouse models. Methods: Sixty male BalbC mice aged 3 weeks were administered with phycocyanin-rich Spirulina extract [PRSE, 545 mg/kg], fluoxetine [20 mg/kg] or water orally for 5 weeks. During the last 2 weeks of the experiment, a series of behavioral-cognitive tests were performed to evaluate motor activity, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects, socialization and cognitive effects. Effects of PRSE and fluoxetine were compared to those of water. Results: There was a significant effect of PRSE in the activity domain, manifesting as an increase in velocity in the open field [p=0.0007 vs. water]. Fluoxetine significantly enhanced immobility in the tail suspension test and the forced swim test reflecting the known anti-depressant effect of this compound, but not PRSE. There were no significant effects of PRSE found in the tests of anxiety, socialization or cognition. Conclusions: The most striking observation in this study was that PRSE significantly enhanced activity in the open field test. Further studies are indicated to confirm and extend this finding and investigate the possible mechanisms of action. The results of the current study do not support sporadic reports of possible anti-depressant or cognition-enhancing effects of PRSE. Nevertheless, additional studies are indicated using depression models rather than naïve mice, alternative mouse strains, using additional cognitive tests, and administering higher PRSE doses.

Anticonvulsant and Anti-anxiety Effects of Royal Jelly in Adult Male Syrian Rats

Objective Royal jelly is a honey bee secretion with beneficial effects on the nervous system. The present study aims to investigate the effects of royal jelly in reducing seizure and anxiety-like behaviors in Syrian rats. Methods This is an experimental study. In the seizure model, 25 male white Syrian rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, royal jelly 400 mg/kg, and phenobarbital. After 30 minutes, strychnine was injected to induce seizure in animals. The time of seizure onset, seizure duration, and mortality rate in animals were recorded. In the anxiety model, 35 male white Syrian rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, royal jelly 50 mg/kg, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, and diazepam. Anxiety-like behaviors were examined by using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, and P&lt;0.05 was statistically significant. Results Royal jelly at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg delayed the time of seizure onset and reduced the seizure duration compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05). The mortality rate was also reduced after using different doses of royal jelly compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, royal jelly at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM platform and the number of entries to the open arms compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion Administration of royal jelly can reduce strychnine-induced seizure and modulate anxiety-like behaviors in rats.

A Review on anticancer potential of Nitric Oxide

Nitrous oxide (N2O; laughing gas) is clinically used as a safe anesthetic (dentistry, ambulance, childbirth) and is appreciated for its anti-anxiety effect. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a free radical gas that performs various physiological and pathological processes in the body. NO is produced by different enzymatic pathways and plays a role in homeostasis. Over the past years, NO has emerged as a molecule of interest in many ailments including cancer. But its role in cancer is still controversy. It can display dose-dependent anticancer therapy on the one hand and induce pro-cancer properties on the other hand. But as compared to conventional treatments, NO proved better tumor cell resistance. This review mentions the dichotomous nature of NO that may encourage future research assessing the role of NO in cancer prevention and treatment either as a single agent or in combination with other antineoplastic compounds.

Anti-Anxiety Effects of Prelimbic 5-HT4 Receptors in the Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease: Evidence from Behavioral and Electrophysiological Study

Objective: Clinical and laboratory studies have demonstrated that prelimbic (PrL) and serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptors may have the key role in regulating anxiety. However, the pathophysiology of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains obscure. In this research, the effects of PrL 5-HT4 receptors on anti-anxiety behaviors in hemiparkinsonian rats were investigated. Methods: PD model rats were used as the research subjects, starting with behavioral changes, from the point of view of electrophysiology, the regulatory effect of PrL 5-HT4 receptors on PD-related anxiety and the possible mechanism were explored. Results: Anxiety-like behaviors were induced via MFB lesion in rats. Intra-PrL injection of 5-HT4 receptors agonist RS67333 induced anti-anxiety effects in both sham and PD group. In the sham group, PrL administration of 5-HT4 receptors antagonist SB204070 produce anti-anxiety effects, but in the PD group, the expression of anxiety-like behavior was increased. Compared to the sham group, the effective dose of the behavioral effects of the two drugs in the PD group was obviously higher. Electrophysiological data suggested that PrL administration of RS67333 (SB204070) increased (decreased) the ?ring activities of ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in both groups. Compared with rats in sham group, lesioned rats had a shorter duration of the excitation (inhibition) effects on firing activities of GABA neurons. Conclusion: PrL 5-HT4 receptors regulate anxiety behaviors in PD rats, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of expression or function of PrL 5-HT4 receptors in PD.

Evaluation of Anxiolytic Activity of Ondansetron in mice models — An Animal Experimental Research

Background: Anxiety and depression are the common mental disorders, which affect the general population upto 15%, once at their life span and an important reason of disability in world with high impact on social-economic status of affected persons. The Benzodiazepines preferred for the treatment of generalized anxiety as they provide immediate relief, however the high potential for abuse and dependence, limits the utilization of Benzodiazepines. Literature suggests that increased serotonergic neurotransmission in synapse leads to allosteric modulation of serotonergic system by 5-HT1A partial agonists and with the blockade of 5-HT3 receptor by its antagonists develop anti anxiety effect which may serve as alternatives to Benzodiazepines as anxiolytic because of lesser side effects and better tolerability with favourable pharmacological records in patients. Objective: To evaluate anxiolytic activity of ondansetron in mice model. Material and methods: Male Swiss albino mice (20-30 g BW) were divided in five groups. Study was undertaken after approval from IAEC, People’s College of Medical Science and Research Centre, Bhopal. Animals received intraperitoneally either Ondansetron (0.1, 0 .5 and 1mg/kg), diazepam (1mg/kg) in intervention group or vehicle (1ml dw) in control. Elevated plus maze and hole board test were used to compare the effects of ondansetron with diazepam for evaluation of anxiolytic activity. In addition, assessment of drugs on motor activity was done by photo actometer. Result: Ondansetron exhibited significant anxiolytic activity at 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg BW dose. Comparison between groups shows significant variation (p&lt;0.05) in dose dependent manner. Locomotor activity was not significantly changed by ondansetron at these test doses. Conclusion: Ondansetron was found to exhibit significant anxiolytic activity in mice models. Further researches are required for elucidating the mechanism and to explore its role in psychopharmacology and its therapeutic application in various psychiatric disorders including anxiety. Keywords: Ondansetron, Anxiolytic, Benzodiazepines

Effects of dopamine transporter in the ventral tegmental area on sleep recovery after propofol anesthesia in sleep-deprived rats

ObjectivePrevious studies indicate that propofol can help with recovery from sleep deprivation and has anti-anxiety effects. However, the underlying neurochemical mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dopamine transporter (DAT) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on sleep and anxiety recovery after propofol anesthesia in rats with 24 h total sleep deprivation (TSD). MethodsAdult male Sprague-Dawley rats were in natural sleep or sleep deprived for 24 h in a sleep deprivation rat system. The rats received propofol anesthesia (75 mg/kg, i.p.) or natural sleep. Dopamine transporter knockdown was performed by microinjection of AAV-DAT-RNAi vector. EEG was measured in each group to evaluate the subsequent sleep. The elevated plus maze test (EPMT) and open field test (OFT) were used to evaluate locomotion and anxiety level in rats. Immunofluorescence was used to verify virus location and transfection efficiency. ResultsCompared with NC group, the anxiety level of Propofol group showed no significant difference, but REM sleep decreased. Compared with the TSD group, the anxiety level of the TSD + Propofol group was reduced and the sleep recovery was closer to baseline. Compared with TSD + AAV-NC group, anxiety level and sleep time increased in TSD + AAVi group, REM increased within 24 h after sleep deprivation. The sleep time of TSD + AAVi + Propofol group was between those of TSD + AAV-NC group and TSD + AAVi group. TSD + AAV-NC + Propofol group had the least sleep time and the lowest anxiety level. Conclusion1. Propofol did not change anxiety level in normal rats, but reduced REM sleep, while it could accelerate sleep recovery and reduce anxiety level in sleep-deprived rats. 2. In sleep deprived rats with DAT knockdown, propofol improved sleep and anxiety levels more slowly, especially producing more REM rebound, suggesting that the improvement of sleep and anxiety levels in sleep-deprived rats with propofol may be related to DAT in VTA region.

Serotonin disruption at gestation alters expression of genes associated with serotonin synthesis and reuptake at weaning.

Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine neuromodulator that plays a key role in the organization of the central nervous system. 5-HT alterations may be associated to the emergence of social deficits and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Notably, disruption of the 5-HT system during sensitive periods of development seems to exert long-term consequences, including altered anxiety responses and problematic use of alcohol. We analyzed, in mice, the effects of transient 5-HT depletion at gestation (a developmental stage when medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) 5-HT levels depend exclusively on placental 5-HT availability) on 5-HT central synthesis and reuptake at weaning. We also explored if 5-HT disruption at the embryonic stage influences behavioral outcomes that may serve as a proxy for autistic- or anxiety-like phenotypes. C57/BL6 male and female mice, born from dams treated with a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor (PCPA; 4-Chloro-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride) at gestational days (G)13.5-16.5, were subjected to a behavioral battery that assesses social preference and novelty, compulsive behavior, stereotypies, and ethanol's anti-anxiety effects, at postnatal days (P) 21-28. Afterwards, expression of the genes that encode for 5-HT synthesis (Tph2) and SERT (5-HT transporter) were analyzed in mPFC via real-time RT-PCR. Dopamine 2 receptor (D2R) expression was also analyzed via RT-PCR to further explore possible effects of PCPA on dopaminergic transmission. Transient 5-HT disruption at G13.5-16.5 reduced Tph2 expression of both male and female mice in mPFC at P23. Notably, female mice also exhibited higher SERT expression and reduced D2R expression in mPFC. Mice derived from 5-HT depleted dams displayed heightened compulsive behavior at P21, when compared to control mice. Alcohol anti-anxiety effects at early adolescence (P28) were exhibited by mice derived from 5-HT depleted dams, but not by control counterparts. No social deficits or stereotyped behaviors were observed. Transient 5-HT inhibition at gestation resulted in altered expression of genes involved in 5-HT synthesis and reuptake in mPFC at weaning, a period in which the 5-HT system is still developing. These alterations may exert lingering effects, which translate to significant compulsivity and heightened sensitivity to the anxiolytic effects of alcohol at early adolescence.

A Possible Anti-anxiety Effect of Appetitive Aggression and a Possible Link to the Work of Donald Winnicott.

Various pleasant sensations that give a particularly intense pleasure are able to improve anxiety. In the present study I consider the possibility that their anti-anxiety action depends on the strong pleasure they provide, and I propose a possible mechanism of this action. According to some studies, also appetitive aggression (an aggression that provokes a strong pleasure and that is performed only for the pleasure it provides) can improve anxiety, and in this article I consider the possibility that the pleasure of appetitive aggression is able to reduce anxiety by the same mechanism I have proposed for other intense pleasurable sensations.The aggression performed by a child against the mother or against a substitute for the mother in the first period of life (a period in which this aggression is not dangerous) is a recurring theme throughout the work of of Donald Winnicott. Winnicott stresses that this aggression is necessary for the normal development of the child, and that the child must be free to practise it. According to Winnicott, this aggression is highly pleasurable and is not a response to unpleasant or hostile external situations. For these characteristics it seems to correspond to appetitive aggression in the adult that has been found to be able to reduce anxiety. Consequently, aggression performed by the child in the first period of life may also relieve anxiety, in the same way that appetitive aggression helps against anxiety in the adult.In his writings, Winnicott returns several times to an unthinkable or archaic anxiety that children experience when they feel abandoned by their mother for a period that is too long for them, and all children, according to Winnicott, live on the brink of this anxiety. In this study I propose the hypothesis that aggression in the early period of life may be necessary for children because the intense pleasure it provides may help them against this continuously impending anxiety.

Exercise modulates central and peripheral inflammatory responses and ameliorates methamphetamine-induced anxiety-like symptoms in mice

Anxiety-like symptoms are common symptoms of methamphetamine (METH) users, especially in the acute withdrawal period, which is an important factor for the high relapse rate during METH acute withdrawal. Exercise has been demonstrated to relieve anxiety-like symptoms during METH withdrawal, but the underlying mechanisms of this anti-anxiety effect are still unclear. Activated microglia and abnormal neuroinflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis of anxiety-like symptoms after METH withdrawal. Moreover, peripheral immune factors were also significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. However, the effects of treadmill exercise on microglial function and neuroinflammation in the striatum and hippocampus during acute METH withdrawal have not been reported. In the current study, we found severe peripheral immune dysfunction in METH users during acute withdrawal, which may in part contribute to anxiety symptoms during METH acute withdrawal. We also showed that 2 weeks of METH exposure induced anxiety-like symptoms in the acute withdrawal period. Additionally, METH exposure resulted in increased microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokines released in the mouse striatum and hippocampus during acute withdrawal. We next evaluated the effects of treadmill exercise in countering anxiety-like symptoms induced by METH acute withdrawal. The results showed that anxiety-like symptoms induced by acute METH withdrawal were attenuated by coadministration of treadmill exercise. In addition, treadmill exercise counteracted METH-induced microglial activation in the mouse striatum and various subregions of the hippocampus. Furthermore, treadmill exercise also reversed the increase in proinflammatory cytokines induced by acute METH withdrawal in the mouse striatum, hippocampus and serum. Our findings suggest that the anti-anxiety effect of treadmill exercise may be mediated by reducing microglial activation and regulating central and peripheral inflammatory responses.

Down-regulation of NR2B receptors contributes to the analgesic and antianxiety effects of enriched environment mediated by endocannabinoid system in the inflammatory pain mice

Chronic pain states are highly prevalent and yet poorly controlled by currently available analgesics. It has been reported that enriched environment (EE), as a new way of endogenous pharmacotherapy, is effective in attenuating chronic inflammatory pain. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. NMDA NR2B receptor plays a critical role in pain transmission and modulation. Thus, in this study, we aimed at the effect of EE on the NR2B receptors expression in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and thalamus in the inflammatory pain mice. The results showed a significant increase of NR2B receptors in the thalamus of mice at 7 d following injection of CFA in the subcutaneous of the bottom of the left hind paw. EE significantly reduced the duration of mechanical hypersensitivity and anxiety-related behavior and the expression of NR2B receptors as compared to the standard condition. Furthermore, EE significantly increased 2-arachidonoylglycero (2-AG) levels at 7 d in the inflammatory pain mice as compared to the standard condition, and the effect of EE on the behavior and the expression of NR2B receptors was abolished by intraperitoneal injection of AM281 (a selective antagonist of CB1 receptor). Elevated 2-AG levels by intraperitoneal injection of JZL184 (a selective inhibitor of MAGL, the enzyme responsible for 2-AG hydrolysis) produced the same effect as EE. Results from this study provide the evidence that EE mimics endocannabinoids to take analgesic and anti-anxiety activities by decreasing the expression of the NR2B receptors via the CB1 receptor in the thalamus, pending further studies.

Effect of Coriander on H2O2-induced Oxidative Stress in PC12 Cells

Objective: Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), a member of the Apiaceae family of plants, is traditionally used as a spice and medicinal plant which has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety effects and is used for the treatment of diabetes. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of coriander on H2O2-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Methods: PC12 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium, and the effects of various treatments were analyzed using cytotoxicity assay, morphological evaluation of neurite outgrowth, and western blotting. Results: The cytotoxicity assay showed increased levels of LDH in cells treated above 10-5 M H2O2, however there was no significant change in the coriander administration group. Morphological evaluation showed significantly increased neurite outgrowth in the nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment group after 72 h. Treatment of NGF-stimulated cells with H2O2 reversed the effect of NGF on neurite outgrowth, which returned to the levels of the control group. Simultaneous administration of H2O2, NGF and 0.1 or 0.01 µg/mL of coriander significantly increased neurite outgrowth after 72 h. Western blot showed that phosphorylated ERK levels were significantly increased in the NGF group compared with H2O2+NGF group, and no significant differences were found compared to the H2O2+NGF+0.1 µg/mL coriander administration group. Conclusion: Coriander reversed the reduction in neurite outgrowth following treatment of NGF-stimulated PC12 cells with H2O2. This suggests that coriander may help prevent oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration.

Determination of the Prevalence of Postcovid Syndrome and Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Drug Cortexin in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders in Patients with Postcovid Syndrome. Results of the CORTEX Multicenter Clinical and Epidemiological Observational Program.

Objectives. To study the prevalence and clinical manifestations of postcovid syndrome (PCS) in out-patients and to assess the efficacy of treatment with the drug Cortexin at doses of 10 and 20 mg i.m. for 10 days. Materials and methods. A total of 979 patients with PCS from regions of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan were studied; mean age was 54.6 ± 4.5 years; duration of COVID-19 was from one month upwards. Investigations involved three visits. The first was on the day of consultation (assessment of complaints, analysis of scale indicators, prescription of drug Cortexin at a dose of 10 or 20 mg i.m. for 10 days). The second visit (telephone consultation) was on day 10–14. The third visit was on day 30 of out-patient treatment. Assessment of patients’ status used an asthenia assessment scale (MFI-20), a brief mental state assessment scale (MMSE), the Schulte test, and the Subjective Treatment Quality Assessment Scale. Results. The proportion of patients with PCS was up to 30% of all neurological admissions. The commonest manifestations were: fatigue, general weakness, decreased memory and concentration of attention, vertigo, sleep impairment, irritability, and aggression; less frequent were breathlessness, pain, increased sweating, anosmia, hyposmia, dysgeusia, paresthesia, hair loss, degradation of vision, tachycardia, allergic reactions, menstrual cycle impairments, erectile dysfunction, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, depression and refusal to eat meat. Conclusions: No associations were found between clinical symptomatology and the severity of COVID-19, the volume of lung tissue affected, or different periods of postcovid syndrome. Cortexin was found to be effective at doses of 10 and 20 mg for correcting the cognitive and asthenic manifestations of PCS. Cortexin was found to have anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and anxiolytic effects, which were more marked at the 20-mg dose.

An Exploratory Evaluation of a Low Dose Theanine Consumption on Improving Sleep in Middle-Aged and Older Males

L-theanine (theanine), one of the ingredients of green tea, had been proven to have anti-anxiety, anti-stress, memory, cognitive, and sleep improvement effects in most clinical trials. However, these effects have shown efficacy at a dose of 200–400 mg of theanine a day. In this study, we explored the sleep-improving effects of a lower dose (100 mg/day) of theanine. A double-blind, randomized crossover study was conducted on 25 middle-aged and older males. Participants were randomly assigned to Groups A and B. Group A took theanine first, and Group B took theanine later in the intervention period. The participants took theanine/placebo for one week. Electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters were measured with a monitoring device during sleep, and subjective sleep quality after waking up was evaluated using a questionnaire. Following the statistical analysis between interventions, subgroup analyses according to the participants’ background information were conducted on the representative sleep parameters of non-REM sleep, REM sleep, and wakefulness. Of the 25 participants, three withdrew from this study. In the sleep analysis, there was no significant difference in all sleep parameters between the theanine and placebo periods. In particular, the difference in the percentage of nonREM sleep in stage 2 per sleep duration was not significant (p = 0.053). However, subgroup analysis of the results showed that the percentage of non-REM sleep in stage 2 in groups aged &lt;50 years was higher in theanine than that of the placebo, and in groups with green tea consumption habit of &lt;3 to 4 days per week (p = 0.018, 0.048). The intake of 100 mg/day of theanine does not have an effect on sleep improvement. However, subgroup analyses showed that theanine had an improved effect in stage 2 non-REM sleep according to age and green tea consumption habit.

Application of 4-Diethylaminobenzoic Acid &lt;i&gt;N&lt;/i&gt;-Succinimidyl Ester and Its Deuterated Isotopologue as Derivatization Reagents to Quantitative Analysis of γ-Aminobutyric Acid in Serum by LC/ESI-MS/MS

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter having anti-anxiety, stress-reducing and sleep-enhancing effects. The blood GABA concentration has the potential to become a diagnostic index for depression and schizophrenia. In this study, we developed a method for the quantification of GABA in human serum by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) combined with derivatization using a pair of reagents, 4-diethylaminobenzoic acid N-succinimidyl ester (DEABAS) and its deuterated isotopologue (dDEABAS). The deproteinized serum samples were derivatized with DEABAS, to which the dDEABAS-derivatized standard GABA of known amount was then added. The DEABAS-derivatization enhanced not only the ESI-MS/MS sensitivity but also the LC retention, which enabled the separation of GABA from the interfering isomers. Satisfactory assay precision and accuracy were also acquired by adding dDEABAS-derivatized GABA, which served as the internal standard and worked well for correcting the matrix effect and instrument drift. The developed method had satisfactory applicability to the real sample analysis because it was successfully used to quantify the serum GABA of the healthy subjects.

The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Reducing Anxiety Levels in Students

Introduction: Students have a lot of lecture activities; the pandemic requires all these activities to be done at home. This situation causes the stress and anxiety levels of students to increase. Lavender was chosen as one of the aromatherapy variants chosen to reduce anxiety levels. Lavender contains linalool which has anti-anxiety, relaxation, and drowsiness effects. One of the uses of lavender flower aromatherapy (Lavandula angustifolia) is inhalation to get benefits directly into the body. Method: The method used is a literature review, namely by reviewing several library sources through searching using the online databases of Google Scholar and PubMed. Objective: To determine the benefits of lavender aromatherapy on reducing anxiety levels in students. Results and Discussion: Based on the results of the study of several literature in 11 journals with student respondents, it was found that anxiety was grouped into behavioral, cognitive, and affective responses. Giving lavender aromatherapy to reduce anxiety levels can be done by inhalation, drops, evaporation, application of oxygen masks, and spray techniques. Lavender aromatherapy is effective for reducing anxiety in students. Conclusion: Lavender oil is well-known aromatherapy for its sedative, hypnotic, and antineuro depressive effects. Lavender aromatherapy can reduce anxiety levels in students.

Antianxiety and antidepressant effects of aqueous latex extract of Euphorbia resinifera

This study aims to examine the antianxiety and antidepressant effects of aqueous latex extract of Euphorbia resinifera in mice. Antianxiety and sedative effects were examined using the elevated plus maze test, open field test, and thiopental-induced sleeping time respectively. While the antidepressant effect was evaluated, using the forced swimming test. E. resinifera reduced the latency of sleeping and increased sleeping time significantly at 75 mg/kg. It reduced the immobility time and increased swimming significantly at all doses assessed (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg). Pretreatment with antagonists reversed these effects indicating the possible involvement of α2, 5HT2, D2, and GABAA receptors respectively. These findings confirm the traditional utilization of this plant as an antioxidant, anxiolytic, and antidepressant.

Anesthetic Effect of Dexmedetomidine in Clinical Functional Neurosurgery.

Background Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective and efficient α2-adrenoceptor agonist with good antianxiety, analgesic, hypnotic, and sedative effects without causing respiratory depression. Aim To investigate the anesthetic effect of dexmedetomidine in clinical neurosurgery. Methods A total of 94 patients who received functional neurosurgical treatment in our hospital from March 2019 to October 2020 were selected and divided into the study and control groups. Routine anesthesia was adopted in the control group, while dexmedetomidine was used in the study group. Perioperative hemodynamic indicators such as mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, cognitive function score, pain score VAS, stress response index level, and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results Before surgery (T0), no significant differences in MAP, HR, and SpO2 were observed between the two groups. However, at the beginning of the operation (T1), 30 min after the operation (T2), and immediately after the operation (T3), these indicators in the study group were significantly higher than in the control group. The postoperative MMSE of the study group 3 d later was significantly higher than that of the control group. The VAS scores after the operation of the study group were lower than those of the control group. The serum cortisol (COR) and aldosterone (ALD) levels in the study group were not significantly different from those in the control group before surgery. The levels of each index in the two groups were higher than those before and 24 h after surgery. The incidence rate of adverse reactions in the study group was lower. Conclusion The application of dexmedetomidine in clinical functional neurosurgery is safe and can maintain hemodynamic stability and reduce the degree of stress response, cognitive impairment, and pain caused by invasive surgery.