TJS-010, a new prescription of Kampo medicine with putative antidepressive and anxiolytic properties.--A behavioral study using experimental models for depression and anxiety.

We investigated the effect of TJS-010, a new prescription of Kampo or oriental medicine, on the locomotor activity and body temperature in rats in order to determine its antidepressive and anxiolytic effects. Tetrabenazine(TBZ), which sometimes induces depression in humans, decreased the spontaneous locomotion in rats, and attenuated the content of amines in several regions in the rat brain when intraperitoneally injected. TJS-010 was orally administered at a concentration of 750 mg/kg, and inhibited the locomotor suppression. The content of amines was not, however, altered. These results indicate that TJS-010 postsynaptically modulates the transmission or transduction. Imipramine, 5mg/kg, also enhanced locomotion in TBZ-treated rats, which was similar to the effect of TJS-010. These results suggest that TJS-010 has an antidepressive effect. TJS-010 also facilitated the hypothermia induced by subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg/kg (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), which is known to be mediated by serotonin-1A receptors. The hypothermia in the rats via an activation of serotonin-1A receptors is often observed with anxiolytic drugs. These results may raise the possibility that TJS-010 has an anxiolytic property. TJS-010 may serve as a useful drug for the treatment of those who suffer from depressive and anxiety disorders.