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Ye Z, Wang J, Fang F, Wang Y, Liu Z, Shen C, Hu Y. Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po decoction alleviates depressive-like behavior and promotes hippocampal neurogenesis in chronic unpredictable mild stress induced mice via activating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 319:117355. [PMID: 37890805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Zhi-Zi-Hou-Po decoction (ZZHP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classic recipe, has been extensively applied for the remedy of depression. However, the underlying mechanism of ZZHP hasn't been fully elucidated and it needs to be further clarified. AIM OF STUDY The aim of the study is to uncover the mechanisms of ZZHP's effect on depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS C57BL/6 mice were employed to establish Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) models. Behavioral tests were conducted for evaluating the antidepressant effects of ZZHP. Then, the monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus through High Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrochemical Detection (HPLC-ECD) were utilized to assess the effect of ZZHP on the maintenance of monoamine neurotransmitter homeostasis. Immunofluorescence staining and Golgi staining were detected to analyze the effects of ZZHP on neuroplasticity in the hippocampus. Western Blot (WB) was utilized to examine the effects of ZZHP on BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathways. Finally, behavioral tests, WB and immunofluorescence staining were repeated after TrkB receptor antagonist was added to further confirm the underlying mechanism. RESULTS Our results shown that ZZHP attenuated depressive-like symptoms in CUMS mice. Moreover, ZZHP remarkably reversed the reduction and maintained the homeostasis of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus. Simultaneously, ZZHP protected neuronal synaptic plasticity and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis. Furthermore, ZZHP stimulated the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway in the hippocampus. The addition of TrkB receptor antagonist inhibited the antidepressant effects of ZZHP, suggesting that ZZHP could not work without triggering the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that ZZHP can alleviate depressive-like behavior and promote hippocampal neurogenesis in CUMS mice via activating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyi Ye
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO. 138, Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
| | - Jinwen Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO. 138, Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
| | - Fei Fang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO. 138, Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
| | - Yaya Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO. 138, Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
| | - Zhebin Liu
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO. 138, Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
| | - Chunfeng Shen
- Shen Chun-ti Nation-Famous Experts Studio for Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance, Changzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yue Hu
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, NO. 138, Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Shen Chun-ti Nation-Famous Experts Studio for Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance, Changzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
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