Open Access

Humulus japonicus rescues autistic‑like behaviours in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse model of autism

  • Authors:
    • Hye-Yeon Park
    • Jun Go
    • Young-Kyoung Ryu
    • Dong-Hee Choi
    • Jung-Ran Noh
    • Jin-Pyo An
    • Won-Keun Oh
    • Pyung-Lim Han
    • Chul-Ho Lee
    • Kyoung-Shim Kim
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 13, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12087
  • Article Number: 448
  • Copyright: © Park et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Humulus japonicus (HJ) is a traditional herbal medicine that exhibits anti‑inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti‑tumor effects that is used for the treatment of hypertension, pulmonary disease and leprosy. Recently, it has also been reported that HJ demonstrates neuroprotective properties in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. The current study hypothesised that the administration of HJ would exhibit therapeutic effects in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder with lifelong consequences. The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse model of ASD was used to investigate the anti‑autistic like behavioural effects of HJ. Chronic oral administration of the ethanolic extract of HJ significantly increased social interaction, attenuated repetitive grooming behaviour and improved novel‑object recognition in BTBR mice. Anti‑inflammatory effects of HJ in the brain were analysed using immunohistochemistry and reverse‑transcription quantitative PCR analysis. Microglia activation was markedly decreased in the striatum and hippocampus, and pro‑inflammatory cytokines, including C‑C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2, interleukin (IL)‑1β and IL‑6, were significantly reduced in the hippocampus following HJ treatment. Moreover, HJ treatment normalised the phosphorylation levels of: N‑methyl‑D‑aspartate receptor subtype 2B and calcium/calmodulin‑dependent protein kinase type II subunit α in the hippocampus of BTBR mice. The results of the present study demonstrated that the administration of HJ may have beneficial potential for ameliorating behavioural deficits and neuroinflammation in ASD.
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June-2021
Volume 23 Issue 6

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Spandidos Publications style
Park H, Go J, Ryu Y, Choi D, Noh J, An J, Oh W, Han P, Lee C, Kim K, Kim K, et al: <em>Humulus japonicus</em> rescues autistic‑like behaviours in the BTBR T<sup>+</sup> Itpr3<sup>tf</sup>/J mouse model of autism. Mol Med Rep 23: 448, 2021
APA
Park, H., Go, J., Ryu, Y., Choi, D., Noh, J., An, J. ... Kim, K. (2021). <em>Humulus japonicus</em> rescues autistic‑like behaviours in the BTBR T<sup>+</sup> Itpr3<sup>tf</sup>/J mouse model of autism. Molecular Medicine Reports, 23, 448. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12087
MLA
Park, H., Go, J., Ryu, Y., Choi, D., Noh, J., An, J., Oh, W., Han, P., Lee, C., Kim, K."<em>Humulus japonicus</em> rescues autistic‑like behaviours in the BTBR T<sup>+</sup> Itpr3<sup>tf</sup>/J mouse model of autism". Molecular Medicine Reports 23.6 (2021): 448.
Chicago
Park, H., Go, J., Ryu, Y., Choi, D., Noh, J., An, J., Oh, W., Han, P., Lee, C., Kim, K."<em>Humulus japonicus</em> rescues autistic‑like behaviours in the BTBR T<sup>+</sup> Itpr3<sup>tf</sup>/J mouse model of autism". Molecular Medicine Reports 23, no. 6 (2021): 448. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12087