Antidepressant-like Effect ofSeed Extract in Mice Model of Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress.

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one life-threatening disorder that is prevalent worldwide. The evident etiology of this disease is still poorly understood. Currently, herbal medicine is gaining more interest as an alternative antidepressant., which is used in traditional medicine and contains a potential antidepressive compound, baicalein, could have an antidepressive property. Anmonoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitory assay was used to preliminarily screening for the antidepressant effect ofseed () extract. Mice were subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) for 6 weeks, and the daily administration ofextract started from week 4. The mechanisms involved in the antidepressive activity were investigated. Theextract significantly alleviated anhedonia and despair behaviors in the UCMS-induced mouse model via two possible pathways: (i) it normalized the HPA axis function via the restoration of negative feedback (decreased FKBP5 and increased GR expressions) and the reduction in the glucocorticoid-related negative gene (SGK-1), and (ii) it improved neurogenesis via the escalation of BDNF and CREB expressions in the hippocampus and the frontal cortex. In addition, an HPLC analysis of theextract showed the presence of baicalin, baicalein, and chrysin as major constituents. All of the results obtained from this study emphasize the potential ofextract containing baicalin and baicalein as an effective and novel alternative treatment for MDD.