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Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Antidepressant Mechanisms of Qiangzhifang in a Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Depression Rat Model
Published on: June 6, 2025
Diterpene Ginkgolides Exert an Antidepressant Effect Through the NT3-TrkA and Ras-MAPK Pathways
Ting Wang1,2,3, Shunjie Bai1,2,3, Wei Wang2,3,4
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Depression is a highly prevalent mental illness that severely impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. Our recent studies demonstrated that diterpene ginkgolides (DG) have antidepressant effects in mice. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remained much unclear.
Methods:
In this study, we assessed the antidepressant effects of chronic DG therapy in rats by evaluating depression-related behaviors, we also examined potential side effects using biochemical indicators. Furthermore, we performed an in-depth molecular network analysis of gene-protein-metabolite interactions on the basis of metabolomics.
Results:
Chronic DG treatment significantly ameliorated the depressive-like behavioral phenotype. Furthermore, the neurotrophin signaling-related NT3-TrkA and Ras-MAPK pathways may play an important role in the antidepressant effect of DG in the hippocampus.
Conclusion:
These findings provide novel insight into the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant action of DG, and should help advance the development of new therapeutic strategies for depression.
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