Schizandra chinensis andScutellaria baicalensis counter stress behaviors in mice

In Vitro Assessment of Cortisol Release Inhibition, Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of a Chemically Characterized Scutellaria lateriflora L. Hydroethanolic Extract

Excess cortisol release is associated with numerous health concerns, including psychiatric issues (i.e., anxiety, insomnia, and depression) and nonpsychiatric issues (i.e., osteoporosis). The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro inhibition of cortisol release, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability exerted by a chemically characterized Scutellaria lateriflora L. extract (SLE). The treatment of H295R cells with SLE at increasing, noncytotoxic, concentrations (5-30 ng/mL) showed significant inhibition of cortisol release ranging from 58 to 91%. The in vitro simulated gastric, duodenal, and gastroduodenal digestions, induced statistically significant reductions (p < 0.0001) in the bioactive polyphenolic compounds that most represented SLE. Bioavailability studies on duodenal digested SLE, using Caco-2 cells grown on transwell inserts and a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay, indicated oroxylin A glucuronide and oroxylin A were the only bioactive compounds able to cross the Caco-2 cell membrane and the artificial lipid membrane, respectively. The results suggest possible applications of SLE as a food supplement ingredient against cortisol-mediated stress response and the use of gastroresistant oral dosage forms to partially prevent the degradation of SLE bioactive compounds. In vivo studies and clinical trials remain necessary to draw a conclusion on the efficacy and tolerability of this plant extract.

Antistress Effects of San-Huang-Xie-Xin Decoction on Restraint-Stressed Mice Revealed by 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics and Biochemistry Analysis

San-Huang-Xie-Xin decoction (SHXXD), composed of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Scutellariae Radix, is a representative antipyretic and detoxifying prescription in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we investigated the antistress effects and underlying mechanisms of San-Huang-Xie-Xin decoction (SHXXD) on restraint-stressed mice by ¹H NMR-based metabolomics combined with biochemistry assay. A total of 48 male mice (5 weeks old, 18-22 g) were divided randomly into 6 groups (n = 8), including the normal group, restraint-stressed group, vitamin C group (positive drug, 17 mg/kg), and 3-dosage groups of SHXXD (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg). The stress model was induced by restraining mice in a polypropylene centrifuge tube for 6 h every day. The rotarod test was performed, and several biochemical indicators were measured. Moreover, other 24 animals were divided into 3 groups (n = 8) including the normal group, restraint-stressed group, and SHXXD group (800 mg/kg) for ¹H NMR-based metabolomics analysis. Our results showed that SHXXD significantly increased the rotarod time, thymus index, spleen index, and the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and interleukin- (IL-) 2, but decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, corticosterone (CORT), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in restraint-stressed mice. Moreover, the contents of eight endogenous metabolites that were changed by restraint stress were significantly reversed by SHXXD. The results of both metabolomics and biochemical analysis indicated that SHXXD (800 mg/kg, p.o.) could improve the biochemical changes and metabolic disorders in restraint-stressed mice by antioxidation and anti-inflammation, enhancing the body's immune function and restoring several disturbed metabolic pathways (i.e., lipid metabolism, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, inflammatory injury, and energy metabolism). Taken together, these results indicated that SHXXD has a potential antistress effect in restraint-stressed mice and could be considered as a candidate drug for stress-related disorders.

The Use of Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model for Identifying New Anxiolytic Drugs from Herbal Medicine

Anxiety is a widespread psychiatric disorder. The search for a cure is still continuing since many of the synthetic drugs were inefficient in completely treating anxiety, yet caused some dangerous side effects until many of the drugs were withdrawn from the market. One promising source of new anxiolytics could be herbal medicines. The challenge is to screen plant extracts. Rodent models can be used for this purpose but are expensive. Moreover, rodent tests are costly and consume relatively large quantities of sample. For this reason, alternative animal models may be useful. Zebrafish larvae have many advantages for screening natural products. The main advantage is that they can be produced cheaply and in large numbers. Several studies have shown that the zebrafish is a good model for studying drugs that affect anxiety. This review focuses on the use of animal models, including zebrafish larvae, for studying anxiety and screening for herbal medicines that modulate anxiety. Finally, future prospects of the zebrafish larva as an alternative model in this field are also discussed.

Extraction and Separation of Active Ingredients in Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill and the Study of their Antifungal Effects

Schisandra chinensis extracts (SEs) have traditionally been used as an oriental medicine for the treatment of various human diseases, however, their further application in the biocontrol of plant disease remains poorly understood. This study was conducted to develop eco-friendly botanical pesticides from extracts of S. chinensis and assess whether they could play a key role in plant disease defense. Concentrated active fractions (SE-I, SE-II, and SE-III) were obtained from S. chinensis via specific extraction and separation. Then, lignan-like substances, such as Schisanhenol B, were detected via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-ElectroSpray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) analyses of the active fractions. Moreover, the results from biological tests on colony growth inhibition and spore germination indicated that SE-I, SE-II, and SE-III could inhibit hyphal growth and spore generation of three important plant pathogenic fungi (Monilinia fructicola, Fusarium oxysporum, and Botryosphaeria dothidea). The study of the mechanisms of resistant fungi revealed that the oxidation resistance system, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), was activated. The expression of genes related to defense, such as pathogenesis-related protein (PR4), α-farnesene synthase (AFS), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) were shown to be up-regulated after treatment with SEs, which suggested an increase in apple immunity and that fruits were induced to effectively defend against the infection of pathogenic fungi (B. dothidea). This study revealed that SEs and their lignans represent promising resources for the development of safe, effective, and multi-targeted agents against pathogenic fungi.

The effects of a standardized Acanthopanax koreanum extract on stress-induced behavioral alterations in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The roots and stem bark of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai (Araliaceae), a well-known herbal medicine in Jeju Island, Korea, has been used as a tonic agent in treating stress-related states. Despite its popular application, the anti-anxiety or anti-depressive action of Acanthopanax koreanum is not yet known.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to determine the effects of Acanthopanax koreanum on stress-induced behavioral alterations such as anxiety and depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice in the acute stress group were exposed to immobilization stress for 2h followed by electric foot shocks (0.5 mA in 1 s duration with a 10 s inter-shock interval) for 2 min, while sub-chronically stressed mice were exposed to these stresses for 2 weeks, once per day. 70% ethanolic extract of Acanthopanax koreanum (EEAK) (25, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) was administered once or sub-chronically (for 2 weeks) 1h prior to stress induction. Anxiety- or depression-like behavioral changes were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test and the forced swimming test (FST) a day after the final stress induction. Corticosterone levels and spleen weight were measured after conducting all the behavioral assays. The numbers of BrdU- or DCX-immunopositive cells in the hippocampal region of sub-chronically stressed mice were measured 2 days after EEAK treatment.

RESULTS

The percentage of time spent in the open arms was decreased in both the acutely and chronically stressed mice. In the FST, the immobility time was increased by only chronic stress, but not by acute stress. Acute or sub-chronic administration of EEAK significantly prevented the anxiety- or depression-like behavioral changes caused by stress. EEAK also attenuated stress-induced decrease and increase of spleen weight and corticosterone levels, respectively. Furthermore, the sub-chronic administration of EEAK (100 or 200 mg/kg, for 2 weeks) increased the number of BrdU-, doublecortin-, and neuropeptide Y-positive cells in the hippocampal region of the sub-chronically stressed mice.

CONCLUSION

EEAK attenuated the behavioral and biochemical changes in acute or sub-chronic stressed mice. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of Acanthopanax koreanum for the treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders or major depressive disorder.

Effect of HX108-CS supplementation on exercise capacity and lactate accumulation after high-intensity exercise

Background

In the present study, we determined the effects of HX108-CS (mixed extract of Schisandra chinensis and Chaenomeles sinensis) supplementation on lactate accumulation and endurance capacity. Furthermore, we examined CK (creatine kinase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) activity to determine whether the HX108-CS affected markers of skeletal muscle injury in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Exercise capacity was measured by an exhaustive swimming test using ICR mice divided into four groups; one group received distilled water (DW) (Control group, n = 10), and the other groups received three different dosages of HX108-CS (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg, n = 10 per group) solution in water orally. Then, for the time-dependent measurements of blood lactate, CK, and LDH, Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two groups; one received DW (Control group, n = 10), and the other group received HX108-CS (100 mg/kg, n = 10) solution in the same way as mice. Before the exercise test, the animals were given either DW or HX108-CS for 2 weeks. High-intensity treadmill exercise was performed for 30 minutes. Blood samples were collected and analyzed during and after exercise. For the in vitro experiment, C2C12 cells were treated with HX108-CS to examine its effect on lactate production, CK, and LDH activity.

Results

Blood lactate concentration was significantly lowered immediately after treadmill exercise in HX108-CS group; however, there were no significant differences in activities of CK and LDH between HX108-CS and control during treadmill exercise and recovery phase. Furthermore, treatment with 100 mg/kg of HX108-CS led to a significant increase in the time to exhaustion in swimming test, and concurrently blood lactate concentration was significantly decreased in 50 and 100 mg/kg treated group. Moreover, our results of in vitro experiment showed that HX108-CS suppressed lactate production, CK, and LDH activity in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions

These results suggest that supplementation with HX108-CS may enhance exercise capacity by lowering lactate accumulation. This may in part be related to an amelioration of skeletal muscle injury.

Correlation between Antistress and Hepatoprotective Effects of Schisandra Lignans Was Related with Its Antioxidative Actions in Liver Cells

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the anti-stress and hepato-protective effects of Schisandra Lignans Extract (SLE) on stress-induced liver damage. Seven weeks old male mice were fixed in a restraint tube for 18 h to induce liver damage. SLE was orally administered to animals for 5 days at dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day before exposed to restraint stress. Oral administration of SLE significantly reduced restraint-induced liver damage in experimental animal. SLE was further found to significantly alleviate the provocation of corticosterone in stressed mice. SLE also significantly decreased oxidative damage and increased anti-oxidative capability of liver cells by preventing the over production and accumulation of free radicals. In conclusion, the protective effects of SLE on stress-induced liver damage were confirmed, and the correlation between hepatoprotective and anti-stress effects of schisandra lignans was possible related to its alleviation on the malignant effects of stressors for bio-homeostasis, such as balance of oxidation and reduction in cells.

Pharmacological studies on the anxiolytic effect of standardized Schisandra lignans extract on restraint-stressed mice

Fruits of Fructus Schisandrae were used as sedatives and hypnotics in traditional Chinese medicine for a long history. In this study, we investigated the effects of schisandra lignans extract (SLE) on anxiety disorder in restraint-stressed mice using light-dark (L-D) test. The influences of restraint stress on the levels of monoamines: noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in cerebral cortex, as well as plasma corticosterone (CORT) were studied in mice. The HPLC fingerprint of SLE was recorded and the percentage composition of Schisandra lignans was determined as 82.63%. In L-D test, it was found out that 18h of restraint stress significantly decreased the anxiolytic parameters (explorative behaviors, e.g. number of entries, time spent) in light area indicating high state of anxiety in stressed mice. In addition, restraint stress elevated NE, DA, and 5-HT levels in cerebral cortex of anxiety mice. Plasma CORT level was also increased. Oral administration of SLE (100 and 200mg/kg/day, 8 days) emolliating the level of stress-induced anxiety by significantly increasing the anxiolytic parameters mentioned above. We also observed decreases in cerebral cortex monoamines levels, as well as plasma CORT level in stressed mice. These results suggested that SLE reversed stress-induced anxiety level, changes of cortex monoamine transmitters and plasma CORT. The anxiolytic effects of SLE might be related to its anti-stress activity by modulation of hyperactive HPA axis.

The protective effect of Schisandra lignans on stress-evoked hepatic metastases of P815 tumor cells in restraint mice

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of schisandra lignans extract (SLE) on stress-evoked hepatic metastases of mastocytoma P815 tumor cells, which was closely related with immune function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of SLE was recorded and the percentage composition of schisandra lignans was determined as 82.63%. The contributions of the immunomodulatory properties of SLE to the protective effects on stress-induced hepatic metastases were studied.

RESULTS

Our results found that restraint stress significantly promoted hepatic metastases of P815 tumor cells. However, oral administration of SLE (100 and 200mg/kg/d, 14d) significantly reduced the number of metastatic colonies in liver of restrained mice. SLE was further found to be significantly improving T lymphocyte proportions and increasing cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity of immunized spleen cells in stressed mice.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that the protective effects of SLE on hepatic metastases were related to its alleviation of the adverse effects of stressors for bio-homeostasis and immunoprotection. The obtained data provided evidences to elucidate the traditional use of Fructus schisandrae as a tonic or sedative.

Acupuncture Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behavior by Normalizing Amygdaloid Catecholamines during Ethanol Withdrawal in Rats

Previously, we demonstrated acupuncture at acupoint HT7 (Shen-Men) attenuated ethanol withdrawal syndrome by normalizing the dopamine release in nucleus accumbens shell. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acupuncture on anxiety-like behavior in rats and its relevant mechanism by studying neuro-endocrine parameters during ethanol withdrawal. Rats were treated with 3 g kg(-1)day(-1) of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by intraperitoneal injections for 28 days. The rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal exhibited anxiety-like behavior 72 h after the last dose of ethanol characterized by the decrease of time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze compared with the saline-treated rats (P < .05). Radioimmunoassay exhibited there were notably increased concentrations of plasma corticosterone in ethanol-withdrawn rats compared with saline-treated rats (P < .05). Additionally, high performance liquid chromatography analysis also showed the levels of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol were markedly increased while the levels of dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were significantly decreased in the central nucleus of the amygdala of ethanol-withdrawn rats compared with saline-treated rats (P < .01). Acupuncture groups were treated with acupuncture at acupoint HT7 or PC6 (Nei-Guan). Acupuncture at HT7 but not PC6 greatly attenuated the anxiety-like behavior during ethanol withdrawal as evidenced by significant increases in the percentage of time spent in open arms (P < .05). In the meantime, acupuncture at HT7 also markedly inhibited the alterations of neuro-endocrine parameters induced by ethanol withdrawal (P < .05). These results suggest that acupuncture may attenuate anxiety-like behavior during ethanol withdrawal through regulation of neuro-endocrine system.

Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: an overview of Russian research and uses in medicine

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Bail. is often referred to as an example of a medicinal plant with use in modern Chinese medicine. However, Schisandra chinensis first gained recognition as an adaptogen in the official medicine of the USSR in the early 1960s, principally as a result of the large number of pharmacological and clinical studies carried out by Russian scientists in the preceding two decades. Schizandra has now secured an established position within the medicine of Russia/USSR as evidenced by the inclusion of the drug in recent editions of the National Pharmacopoeia of the USSR and in the State Register of Drugs. Pharmacological studies on animals have shown that Schizandra increases physical working capacity and affords a stress-protective effect against a broad spectrum of harmful factors including heat shock, skin burn, cooling, frostbite, immobilisation, swimming under load in an atmosphere with decreased air pressure, aseptic inflammation, irradiation, and heavy metal intoxication. The phytoadaptogen exerts an effect on the central nervous, sympathetic, endocrine, immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal systems, on the development of experimental atherosclerosis, on blood sugar and acid-base balance, and on uterus myotonic activity. Studies on isolated organs, tissues, cells and enzymes have revealed that Schizandra preparations exhibit strong antioxidant activities and affect smooth muscles, arachidonic acid release, biosynthesis of leukotriene B(4) in leukocytes, platelet activating factor activity, carbohydrate-phosphorus metabolism, the formation of heat shock protein and polyamines, tissue respiration and oxygen consumption, and the tolerance of an organism to oxygen intoxication. In healthy subjects, Schizandra increases endurance and accuracy of movement, mental performance and working capacity, and generates alterations in the basal levels of nitric oxide and cortisol in blood and saliva with subsequent effects on the blood cells, vessels and CNS. Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficiency of Schizandra in asthenia, neuralgic and psychiatric (neurosis, psychogenic depression, astheno-depressive states, schizophrenia and alcoholism) disorders, in impaired visual function, hypotension and cardiotonic disorders, in epidemic waves of influenza, in chronic sinusitis, otitis, neuritis and otosclerosis, in pneumonia, radioprotection of the fetoplacental system of pregnant women, allergic dermatitis, acute gastrointestinal diseases, gastric hyper- and hypo-secretion, chronic gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, wound healing and trophic ulcers. This review describes the considerable diversity of pharmacological effects of Schisandra chinensis reported in numerous studies carried out in the former USSR and which have been confirmed over more than 40 years of use of the plant as an official medicinal remedy. Such knowledge can be applied in the expansion of the use of Schizandra in the pharmacotherapy of European and other countries as well as for the further discovery of new drugs based on the lignans that constitute the main secondary metabolites of this plant.