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Published on: January 7, 2019
Suanzao Ren Decoction Alleviates Anxiety-Like Behavior and Cognitive Dysfunction in Chronic Unpredictable Stress Rats
Tianyan Luo1, Guifang Xiang1, Qing Liu2
1Department of Anesthesiology, Hejiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
Objective:
This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of Suanzao Ren Decoction on anxiety symptoms of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model rats.
Methods:
A rat model of anxiety was established using chronic unpredictable stress. The open field test and elevated cross maze were used to evaluate the anxiety state of rats. The Morris water maze was used to evaluate the cognitive function of rats. HE staining was used to analyze the histopathological changes of the hippocampus. The protein expression of 5-HT2CR, Parkin, and PINK1 in the hippocampus was detected by western blotting. Mitochondrial autophagy in the hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscopy.
Results:
The treatment with Suanzao Ren Decoction significantly prolonged the total distance of spontaneous movement in rats, increased the percentage of open arm entry times, the percentage of open arm retention time, the retention time at the platform position, and the number of platform crossings, and shortened the escape latency period of rats. In addition, the treatment with Suan Zao Ren Decoction significantly improved the pathological damage in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, significantly increased the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, 5-HT, and TPH-2, reduced the level of MDA, and significantly decreased the protein expressions of 5-HT2CR, Parkin, and PINK1, as well as reduced the number of autophagic lysosomes.
Conclusion:
Suanzao Ren Decoction relieved anxiety behavior in CUS rats, and its mechanism may be related to improving cognitive dysfunction and inhibiting oxidative stress and autophagy.
