Effects of the total flavonoid extract of Xiaobuxin-Tang on depression-like behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide and proinflammatory cytokine levels in mice.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Xiaobuxin-Tang (XBXT), a traditional Chinese herbal decoction, has been used for the treatment of depressive disorders from ancient clinic. The aim of the study was to explore the involvement of inflammation or inflammatory markers in the antidepressant-like effects of XBXT-2.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Depression-like behavior was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.2mg/kg, i.p) in tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) in mice. The effects of the total flavonoids (XBXT-2) extracted from XBXT (25, 50, and 100mg/kg, p.o.) and duloxetine (DLX, 10mg/kg, p.o.) on the immobility time in TST and FST were determined 24h after LPS pretreatment. The locomotor activity was also determined to eliminate the false-positive activity. Additionally, in order to further evaluate the effect of XBXT-2 on inflammation, the levels of brain proinflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and TNF-α were assessed by ELISA.

RESULTS:

The pretreatment with LPS significantly increased the immobility time in TST and FST in mice, as well as the brain levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. XBXT-2 (25, 50, and 100mg/kg, p.o.) administration decreased the duration of immobility in TST and FST, and normalized the cytokines levels. The positive control DLX (10mg/kg, p.o.) exerted similar effects. Meanwhile, neither LPS pretreatment nor drugs treatment had any effect on mouse locomotor activity.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that inflammation and inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the antidepressant-like effects of XBXT-2.

• Authors: Lei An, Jing Li, Song-Tao Yu, Rui Xue, Neng-Jiang Yu, Hong-Xia Chen, Li-Ming Zhang, Nan Zhao, Yun-Feng Li, You-Zhi Zhang
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 163 Pg. 83-7 (Apr 02 2015) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 25625350 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Antidepressive Agents
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Flavonoids
• IL1B protein, mouse
• Interleukin-1beta
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• xiaobuxin-tang

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antidepressive Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Brain (drug effects, metabolism)
• Depression (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Flavonoids (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Hindlimb Suspension
• Interleukin-1beta (metabolism)
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Male
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Motor Activity (drug effects)
• Swimming
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)