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Ma S, Chong Y, Zhang R, Quan W, Gui J, Li L, Wang J, Miao S, Shi X, Zhao M, Zhang K. Glycyrrhizic acid treatment ameliorates anxiety-like behaviour via GLT1 and Per1/2-dependent pathways. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 328:118013. [PMID: 38453099 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118013] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Glycyrrhiza. URALENSIS Fisch. (licorice root, chinese name: Gancao) has a variety of medicinal values and is widely used clinically. Its main active ingredient, glycyrrhizic acid (GA), is believed to have a neuroprotective effect. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of GA on stress-induced anxiety disorders are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the anti-anxiety effect of GA and its underlying mechanism. METHODS We selected the anxiety model induced by repeated chronic restraint stress (CRS) for 2 h on each of 7 consecutive days. GA (4, 20, 100 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally once daily for 1 week. The potential GA receptors were identified using whole-cell patches and computer-assisted docking of molecules. High-throughput RNA sequencing, adeno-associated virus-mediated gene regulation, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR were used to assess the underlying molecular pathways. RESULTS GA alleviate depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors in CRS mice. GA decreased synaptic transmission by facilitating glutamate reuptaking in mPFC. Meanwhile, long-term GA treatment increased the expression of clock genes Per1 and Per2. Suppressing both Per1 and Per2 abolished the anxiolytic effects of GA treatment. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that GA may be developed for the treatment of stress-induced anxiety disorders, and its mechanism is related to GLT1 and Per1/2-dependent pathways. This presents a novel approach to discovering potent therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanbo Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Ye Chong
- Departments of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wei Quan
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712000, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jiayue Gui
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Long Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Shan Miao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xiaopeng Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Minggao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, 710038, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, 710032, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China.
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