Aster yomena Alleviates Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS)-Induced Depressive Cognitive Dysfunction by
In Young Kim1, Jong Min Kim2, Hyo Lim Lee1
1Division of Applied Life Science (BK21), Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
|February 11, 2026
Summary
Aster yomena extract (EAY) effectively treats depression-like behaviors and cognitive dysfunction caused by chronic stress. EAY alleviates neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, offering potential as a natural therapy for major depressive cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Research
Background:
- Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induces depressive cognitive dysfunction.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are implicated in depression.
- The cholinergic system and synaptic plasticity are crucial for cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of a 60% ethanolic extract of Aster yomena (EAY) on CUMS-induced depressive cognitive dysfunction.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of EAY's therapeutic effects.
Main Methods:
- Administration of EAY to rats subjected to CUMS.
- Behavioral tests: sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), Y-maze, and Morris water maze (MWM).
- Biochemical analyses of HPA axis hormones, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers, and neurotransmitter levels.
Main Results:
- EAY significantly mitigated CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviors and improved cognitive function.
- EAY alleviated HPA axis hyperactivity, suppressed neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction via the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
- EAY modulated the cholinergic system and synaptic plasticity-related factors.
Conclusions:
- EAY demonstrates antidepressant and cognitive-enhancing effects in a preclinical model of depression.
- EAY's therapeutic potential stems from its ability to regulate the HPA axis, reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, and restore cholinergic and synaptic functions.
- EAY may serve as a natural therapeutic agent for preventing and treating major depressive cognitive impairment.
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