Ji Wei-Wei, Li Rui-Peng, Li Meng, Wang Shu-Yuan, Zhang Xian, Niu Xing-Xing, Li Wei, Yan Lu, Wang Yang, Fu Qiang, Ma Shi-Ping
Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
School of Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Chin J Nat Med. 2014 Oct;12(10):753-9. doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(14)60115-1. Epub 2014 Oct 31.
Perilla frutescens (Perilla leaf), a garnishing vegetable in East Asian countries, as well as a plant-based medicine, has been used for centuries to treat various conditions, including depression. Several studies have demonstrated that the essential oil of P. frutescens (EOPF) attenuated the depressive-like behavior in mice. The present study was designed to test the anti-depressant effects of EOPF and the possible mechanisms in an chronic, unpredictable, mild stress (CUMS)-induced mouse model. With the exposure to stressor once daily for five consecutive weeks, EOPF (3, 6, and 9 mg·kg(-1)) and a positive control drug fluoxetine (20 mg·kg(-1)) were administered through gastric intubation to mice once daily for three consecutive weeks from the 3(rd) week. Open-field test, sucrose consumption test, tail suspension test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST) were used to evaluate the behavioral activity. The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), in mouse hippocampus were determined by HPLC-ECD. Serum interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that CUMS significantly decreased the levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the hippocampus, with an increase in plasma IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels. CUMS also reduced open-field activity, sucrose consumption, as well as increased immobility duration in FST and TST. EOPF administration could effectively reverse the alterations in the concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA; reduce the IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels. Moreover, EOPF could effectively reverse alterations in immobility duration, sucrose consumption, and open-field activity. However, the effect was not dose-dependent. In conclusion, EOPF administration exhibited significant antidepressant-like effects in mice with CUMS-induced depression. The antidepressant activity of EOPF might be related to the relation between alteration of serotonergic responses and anti-inflammatory effects.
紫苏，一种在东亚国家作为装饰性蔬菜以及植物性药物使用了数百年的植物，可用于治疗包括抑郁症在内的多种病症。多项研究表明，紫苏精油（EOPF）可减轻小鼠的抑郁样行为。本研究旨在测试EOPF在慢性、不可预测的轻度应激（CUMS）诱导的小鼠模型中的抗抑郁作用及其可能机制。连续五周每天对小鼠施加一次应激源，从第3周开始连续三周每天通过胃内插管给小鼠施用EOPF（3、6和9mg·kg⁻¹）以及阳性对照药物氟西汀（20mg·kg⁻¹）。采用旷场试验、蔗糖消耗试验、尾悬架试验（TST）和强迫游泳试验（FST）来评估行为活动。通过高效液相色谱 - 电化学检测法（HPLC - ECD）测定小鼠海马体中5 - 羟色胺（5 - HT）及其代谢产物5 - 羟吲哚乙酸（5 - HIAA）的含量。通过酶联免疫吸附测定法（ELISA）评估血清白细胞介素（IL） - 1、IL - 6和肿瘤坏死因子（TNF） - α水平。结果表明，CUMS显著降低了海马体中5 - HT和5 - HIAA的水平，同时血浆IL - 6、IL - 1β和TNF - α水平升高。CUMS还降低了旷场活动、蔗糖消耗，并增加了FST和TST中的不动时间。施用EOPF可有效逆转5 - HT和5 - HIAA浓度的变化；降低IL - 6、IL - 1β和TNF - α水平。此外，EOPF可有效逆转不动时间、蔗糖消耗和旷场活动的变化。然而，该作用不具有剂量依赖性。总之，施用EOPF对CUMS诱导的抑郁小鼠表现出显著的抗抑郁样作用。EOPF的抗抑郁活性可能与血清素反应改变和抗炎作用之间的关系有关。
