[Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Xiaoyao Powder on monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats with postpartum depression].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of Xiaoyao Powder, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of depression, on monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats with postpartum depression (PPD).

METHODS:

Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, untreated group, fluoxetine hydrochloride group and Xiaoyao Powder group. Except for the control group, the rats in the other 3 groups were injected subcutaneously with estrogen for 23 successive days to induce the "pregnancy" state. In the next 30 successive days, rats were given test drugs respectively and the concentrations of noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in hippocampus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS:

PPD was induced in rats of untreated group, and compared with rats of control group, the concentrations of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the concentration of 5-HIAA significantly increased (P<0.01). Xiaoyao Powder treatment significantly improved the behavior indexes and levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus (P<0.01). Xiaoyao Powder and fluoxetine hydrochloride produced similar effects in rats with PPD.

CONCLUSION:

Xiaoyao Powder produces an antidepression effect in rats by regulating the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus.

• Authors: Tao Wang, Feng Qin
• Journal: Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine (Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao) Vol. 8 Issue 11 Pg. 1075-9 (Nov 2010) ISSN: 1672-1977 [Print] China
• PMID: 21078273 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biogenic Monoamines
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Neurotransmitter Agents
• xiaoyao

Topics

• Animals
• Biogenic Monoamines (metabolism)
• Depression, Postpartum (metabolism)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Female
• Hippocampus (drug effects, metabolism)
• Neurotransmitter Agents (metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley