The effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on chronic stress induced depression-like behaviors, BDNF expression and the phosphorylation of PKA and CREB in rats. (13th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Z.; Qi, Y.; Cheng, Z.; Zhu, X.; Fan, C.; Yu, S.Y.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 322(2016)
• Page Start: 358
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2016-05-13
• Subjects: AD Alzheimer's disease -- ANOVA analysis of variance -- BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- CUMS chronic unpredictable mild stress -- i.p. intraperitoneally -- KPBS potassium phosphate-buffered saline -- LA lateral amygdala -- PBS phosphate-buffered saline; ginsenoside Rg1 -- chronic unpredictable mild stress -- depression -- BDNF -- amygdala; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the depression-like behavior induced by CUMS. Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the neuronal structural changes induced by CUMS. Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the decreased expression of BDNF induced by CUMS. Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the decreased level of p-CREB induced by CUMS. Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorated the decreased level of p-PKA induced by CUMS. Abstract: Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder which has been associated with a wide range of structural and functional changes within specific brain regions. Ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to exert a number of neuroprotective effects as demonstrated in various in vivo and in vitro studies. However, little information is available regarding the site and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1 in promoting antidepressant effects. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective and ameliorating effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on depression-like behavior as induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS was effective in producing depression-like behaviors in rats as indicated by decreased responses in sucrose preference and forced swim tests which were associated with ultrastructural changes in neurons within the amygdala. Moreover, levels of PKA and CREB phosphorylation and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were decreased in the amygdala of CUMS rats. Remarkably, chronic ginsenoside Rg1 (40 mg/kg, i.p., 5 weeks) treatment significantly ameliorated these behavioral and biochemical alterations associated with CUMS-induced depression. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate that ginsenoside Rg1 exhibits antidepressant-like effects against CUMS-induced depression. This amelioration of depression-like behaviors by ginsenoside Rg1 appears to be mediated, at least in part, by a CREB-regulated increase of BDNF expression in the amygdala of rats. Therefore, these findings reveal the therapeutic potential of ginsenoside Rg1 for use in clinical trials in the treatment of depression.