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Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Evaluating the Anti-depression Effect of Xiaoyaosan on Chronically-stressed Mice
Published on: January 7, 2019
Sulfuretin exerts anti-depressive effects in the lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive mouse models
Xiaojing Sun1, Xiangzhi Jiang2, Xiaoming Li1
1Pharmacy Department, Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao University, No. 299 Nanjing Road, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, China.
Background:
Herb-derived therapeutics is an attractive strategy to treat depression. Here we report the ameliorating effects of Sulfuretin, an anti-inflammatory compound in a depressive mouse model.
Methods:
Immobility times were obtained in the tail suspension test and forced swim test performed from day 14 to day 16. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to measure brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway of the hippocampus tissue on day 17. SL327 was used to block the ERK pathway in mice to evaluate the interaction between Sulfuretin and the ERK pathway. Mice were treated with Sulfuretin for 14 days before lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection (0.83 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for two days.
Results:
Behavior tests showed that Sulfuretin dose-dependently decreased immobility times correlated with depression symptoms. BDNF levels and ERK signaling were significantly restored in the Sulfuretin-treated mice, showing the improvement of brain function. Blocking the p-ERK signaling abrogated the effects of Sulfuretin in improving behaviors and levels of BDNF.
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that Sulfuretin exhibits anti-depressive function in LPS-induced depressive mice, in which the ERK signaling plays an essential role.
