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Rhizomes of Gastrodia elata B-L Possess Antidepressant-Like Effect via Monoamine Modulation in Subchronic Animal Model
Abstract and Figures
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders that affects over 10% of individuals. However there is no desirable therapeutic approach nowadays. Thus, looking for an alternative treatment is important. The objectives of this study are to investigate the antidepressant effects of the rhizomes of Gastradia elata B(L), a traditional Chinese medicine, in the animal model forced-swimming test (FST), and to analyze the monoamine content in the rats' brain regions in order to better understand the possible mechanisms of the water extract of the rhizomes of Gastrodia elata B(L) (WGE). Subchronic administration of 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg bw WGE by gavage for 21 consecutive days significantly reduced the immobility duration of rats in the test session of FST as compared to the control group (p < 0.05), with the equivalent effects as the antidepressant drug fluoxetine. The concentration of serotonin (5-HT) in the frontal cortex and dopamine (DA) in striatum were significantly increased after WGE administration (p < 0.05). The ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT and (DOPAC + HVA)/DA, i.e. the turnover of 5-HT and DA respectively, were also significantly lowered in WGE groups (p < 0.05). In summary, the present study showed that the WGE possesses antidepressant-like effect on rats in the animal model FST, and the possible mechanism may be via regulating both the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems.
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... Most of the plants such as Lavandula officinalis [98], Nelumbo nucifera [41], Ficus platyphylla [99], Adansonia digitata [100], Morus alba [81], Passiflora incarnata [85], and Gastrodia elata [101] have been used to treat depression. There has been a usage of Cannabis sativa extract for several diseases, among psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety [102]. ...
Epilepsy is considered common neurological diseases that threaten the lives of millions of people all around the world. Since ancient times, different forms of medications have been used to treat this condition. Adverse events associated with treatments and the residence time of available drugs caused to search for safer and more efficient therapies and drugs remain one of the major areas of research interest for scientists. As one of the therapeutics with fewer side effects, plants and their essential oils can be considered replacements for existing treatments. Medicinal plants have proven to be an effective natural source of antiepileptic drugs; most of them have their mechanism of action by affecting GABA receptors in different paths. Cannabis indica and Cymbopogon winterianus are well-known plant species with antiepileptic activities. The current review presenting a list of plants with antiepileptic effects aims to pave the way for finding alternative drugs with fewer side effects for scientists.
... Although many animal studies demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of TCM in depression [64][65][66][67], only three human clinical studies investigated the anti-inflammatory effect in depressive patients. In 2009, Song et al. compared 95 depressive patients and 30 healthy controls. ...
In this chapter, we conducted a systemic literature review for the anti-inflammatory effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) applying molecular mechanisms focusing on the neuroinflammation and gut-brain axis in three neuropsychiatric disorders: major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. We demonstrated the anti-inflammation or immunomodulation effects of TCM, including acupuncture, from basic and clinical research, including cellular and molecular approaches. In conclusion, inflammation plays a critical role in the neuropsychopathological process. At the same time, anti-inflammation seems to be the common biological pathway for the effects of TCM and acupuncture in depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.KeywordsTCMAcupunctureInflammationImmuneDepressionAlzheimer
Parkinson
... GR was reported to possess several biological activities, including antioxidative and free-radical scavenging, neuroprotective, learning improvement, anxiolytic, and antidepressive effects (Chen and Sheen 2011). Recently, GR has been demonstrated to mediate its anti-depressive effect via regulating the MAO enzyme activity, monoamine concentration, and turnover, as well as the hippocampal BDNF-related pathway (Lin et al. 2016, Chen et al. 2009. ...
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a social condition that has a substantial financial impact on society. MDD has an unclearorigin; that’s why it has been proposed to have complex pathophysiology. Depressive disorders occur due to many factors, i.e.,somatic genetic and environmental factors and anomalies in hypothalamic function. Current medicines used for depression areTricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Atypical antidepressants; there are many sideeffects reported with these medicines like hyponatremia, erectile dysfunction, and addiction. There is a need to find effectiveagents which have high efficacy and low adverse effects. Because of encouraging experimental results, emphasis onphytocompounds such as flavonoids and green tea catechins in recent times has increased. This review has compiledphytocompounds and plant extracts that have shown substantial efficacy against antidepression targets. These compounds andplant extracts attenuate depression by several mechanisms including but not limited to increasing the level of brain-derivedneurotrophic factor (BDNF), decreasing oxidative stress markers, attenuating dysfunctions in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis), neurogenesis.
... Based on our results, WCM, especially the LWCM (125 mg/kg), has the best antidepressant-like effects in the UCMS model without any side effects of the three doses. These observations were similar to those reported for several antidepressant-like materials, such as the water extract of Gastrodia elata Blume (Chen et al., 2009), p-hydroxy benzyl alcohol (Hsieh et al., 1997), hyperforin (Butterweck et al., 2003), and rotigotine, a conventional anti-depressive drug (Bertaina-Anglade et al., 2006). These results suggest that the WCM is a potential antidepressant-like agent with a U-shaped activity. ...
Ethnopharmacology relevance
Cordyceps militaris (Linn.) Link (CM) is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in tonics for treating several neurological disorders, including epilepsy and anxiety, in Asia. Reports have shown that CM has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects and may be beneficial for depression management.
Aim of the study
This study aimed to investigate the potential of CM as an antidepressant for a long-term unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) rodent models and explore its underlying mechanisms.
Materials and Methods
Rats were orally administered with 125 (low, L), 250 (medium, M), and 500 (high, H) mg/kg bodyweight (bw) of the water extract of CM (WCM) for 35 consecutive days in the UCMS protocol. The levels of cerebral serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and metabolites in the frontal cortex of the rats were measured. Blood was collected to investigate the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and the brain was dissected to assay the stress-associated ROCK2/PTEN/Akt signaling.
Results
All doses of the WCM prevented abnormal behaviors induced by UCMS, including anhedonia and hypoactivity. The LWCM treatment reduced the turnover rate of 5-HT, and all doses of the WCM reduced the turnover rate of DA in the frontal cortex. The LWCM also attenuated the elevation of serum IL-1β induced by chronic stress. All doses of the WCM attenuated the ROCK2 protein hyperactivation, and the LWCM further increased the down-regulation of p-Akt/Akt signaling.
Conclusion
The WCM has antidepressant-like effects, which may result from the regulation of the stress-related ROCK2/PTEN/Akt pathway. Therefore, the WCM may be developed and used for the complementary treatment of depression.
Gastrodia elata also commonly known as Tianma is a medicinal plant which is rich in different compounds like phenolics, organic acids, polysaccharides and sterols. Tianma preparations have been used in combination with other medicines as “Tianma steamed egg”, “Tianma stewed pig brain” and “Tianma sleeping Poridge”. The nutrient composition of G. elata is rich in crude protein, crude fat and vitamin C. It grows at height of 1300–10,500 feet at the edges of forests and can tolerate as low as −15 °C temperature. Germination of seed takes place in the first year by symbiotic relationship with fungus called M. osmundicola and protocorms from which immature tubers are obtained after 1 year of cultivation with Armillaria. The plant is harvested either in winters or in spring. Naturally cross-pollinated by insects, epigynous with a lower Ovary is done in flowers of G. elata. The dried tubers have a long oval-shaped, minor fat, and signs of shrinkage and bending. As far medicinal uses are concerned, Gastrodia elata with bioactive compounds like gastrodin, phenolic compounds, perishin and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol play great role in curing life-threating diseases. It works effectively as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and whitening agent for skin. Studies have also shown importance of its Gastrodin component to treat various central-nervous system diseases like Epilepsy, Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease. Gastrodin have also shown potential for treating cardiovascular diseases since last years.
Gastrodia elata Blume has multiple bioactive functions, such as antioxidant and antidepressant activities, immune modulation, neuroplasticity, and neuroprotection. We previously found that the water extract of G. elata exerts antidepressant‐like effects in unpredictable chronic mild stress models and animals exposed to the forced swimming test. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which the water extract of G. elata protects against subchronic‐ and mild‐social defeat‐stress‐induced dysbiosis. After a 10‐day subchronic and mild‐social‐defeat‐stress program, oral treatment with the water extract of G. elata (500 mg/kg bw) resulted in reversal of depression‐like behavior. In addition, monoamine analyses showed that the water extract of G. elata normalized the 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid:5‐HT ratio in the prefrontal cortex and colon and reduced the defeat‐stress‐induced kynurenine:tryptophan ratio in the colon. After the 10‐day subchronic and mild social‐defeat‐stress program, the water extract of G. elata altered the intestinal microbiome by increasing Actinobacteria levels, modulating intestinal inflammation, and shifting the relative abundances of multiple bacterial groups in the gut. Our results suggest that the water extract of G. elata exhibits a potent antidepressant‐like effect via the regulation of monoaminergic neurotransmission and alteration of gut microbiota composition and function, and that it may be an effective prevention for depression.
Asian countries are reckoned for their vast plant-rich regions with a long history of traditional medicine that spans approximately 6,500 years. Asian people inherit knowledge from their ancestors about the use of the surrounding plants to treat many infirmities and diseases, including stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression. As such, this review provides an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical overview of Asian plants with high antistress potential. This review serves as a baseline for the discovery of new and potent antidepressants. Articles from 2007 to 2020 were reviewed extensively using Google Scholar and Scopus search engines based on the following keywords: ‘antidepressant AND Asia AND plants’, ‘anxiolytic AND Asia AND plants’, as well as ‘antistress AND Asia AND plants’. In total, 71 Asian plants were documented. Most of the plants were reported from India (36%) and followed by China (31%). Other countries, including Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan, Korea, Taiwan and Algeria, have published several reports regarding local plants with antidepression potential. As a result, 15 pure compounds isolated from these plants displayed antidepressive potential.
Background: Gastrodia elata Bl. f. glauca S. Chow is a medicinal plant. G. elata f. glauca is unavoidably infected by pathogens in their growth process. In previous work, we have successfully isolated and identified Penicillium oxalicum from fungal diseased tubers of G. elata f. glauca . As a widespread epidemic, this fungal disease seriously affected the yield and quality of G. elata f. glauca . We speculate that the healthy G. elata f. glauca might carry resistance genes , which can resist against fungal disease. In this study, healthy and fungal diseased mature tubers of G. elata f. glauca from Changbai Mountain area were used as experimental materials to help us find the potential resistance genes against fungal disease.
Results: A total of 7540 differentially expressed Unigenes (DEGs) were identified (FDR<0.01, log2FC>2). The current study screened 10 potential resistance genes. They were attached to transcription factors (TFs) in plant hormone signal transduction pathway and plant pathogen interaction pathway, including WRKY22, GH3, TIFY/JAZ, ERF1, WRKY33, TGA. In addition, four of these genes were closely related to jasmonic acid signaling pathway.
Conclusions: The immune response mechanism of fungal disease in G. elata f. glauca is a complex biological process, involving plant hormones such as ethylene, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and disease-resistant transcription factors such as WRKY, TGA.
The arrival of a book for review usually gives rise to pleasant anticipation, and whatever criticisms have to be made, it is that almost always possible to find some pleasant things to say. But finding praise for this tome is a problem — it is a volume too far. It is to be hoped that the authors
This study demonstrated that distinct patterns of active behaviors are produced by antidepressants that selectively inhibit norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (5-HT) uptake in the rat forced swimming test (FST). A behavior sampling technique was developed to score the active behaviors swimming, climbing and diving, as well as immobility. The rat's behavior was recorded at the end of each 5-s period during the test session. The sampling technique was both reliable, as demonstrated by test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability, and valid, as shown by comparison to the timing of behavior durations. Five different antidepressant drugs which block monoamine uptake and two 5-HT1A receptor agonists were shown to decrease immobility in the FST; however, they produced distinct patterns of active behaviors. The selective NE uptake inhibitors desipramine and maprotiline selectively increased climbing, whereas the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine selectively increased swimming. The 5-HT1A receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT and gepirone also selectively increased swimming. These results show that:1) SSRIs are not false negatives in the FST; 2) at least two behaviorally distinct processes occur in the FST; and 3) enhancement of NE neurotransmission may mediate climbing in the FST, whereas enhancement of 5-HT neurotransmission may mediate swimming.
Ether fraction of G. elata methanol extract significantly inhibited the recovery time and severity induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) treatment. Pretreatment of ether fraction of G. elata methanol extract successfully prevented diminution of brain GABA level in subconvulsive dose of PTZ-treated rats. 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, an analogue of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, showed an inhibitory effect on the GABA transaminase, and its inhibitory activity was higher than that of valproic acid, a known anticonvulsant. In the brain of PTZ-treated rats, brain lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, while it recovered to the control level after treatment with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. It may be concluded that antioxidation and positive modulation of GABAergic neuromodulation of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde partially contribute to an antiepileptic and anticonvulsive activity of G. elata B1.
The effects of forced swimming for 30 min on extracellular 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were examined in five brain regions in rats using in vivo microdialysis. A single dialysis probe was implanted under surgical anesthesia into either the striatum, ventral hippocampus, frontal cortex, amygdala, or lateral septum on the day before the study. Dialysate content of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was measured by HPLC. Forced swimming elevated extracellular levels of 5-HT in the striatum to a maximum of 90% above baseline. In contrast, forced swimming reduced 5-HT levels in the amygdala and lateral septum to 50 and 40% of baseline, respectively. In the hippocampus and frontal cortex, 5-HT levels were not altered significantly by forced swimming. In all five brain regions, forced swimming reduced 5-HIAA levels to 45–60% of baseline. These results suggest that forced swimming modulates 5-HT neurotransmission in a regionally specific manner. Aside from being a significant biological stressor, the forced swimming test is used as an animal behavioral model to detect antidepressant drugs, including drugs that alter 5-HT neurotransmission. It is possible that the alterations of extracellular levels of 5-HT produced by forced swimming in certain brain regions may be associated with the ability of antidepressant drugs to selectively alter behavioral performance during the forced swimming test.