Anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal formulation Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of chronic stress

  • Authors:
    • Guo‑Ping Cao
    • Dan Gui
    • Lu‑Di Fu
    • Zhou‑Ke Guo
    • Wen‑Jun Fu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 9, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2016.5382
  • Pages: 1247-1254
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Abstract

Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san is a Traditional Chinese Medicinal formulation widely used for the treatment of neuropsychological disorders. The present study examined the anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of chronic stress. The results of an elevated plus maze test showed that Dan‑zhi‑xiao‑yao‑san significantly attenuated the levels of anxiety-induced stress as evidenced by increases in the time spent in the open arm region, as well as the percentage of entries into this area. In addition, Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san alleviated stress‑induced neuronal death, as indicated by histological examination. Furthermore, mechanistic studies suggested that the anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san may be mediated via attenuation of chronic stress‑induced upregulation of α‑synuclein and corticosterone, and downregulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in the hippocampal region of the brain at the mRNA and protein level. In addition, Dan‑zhi‑xiao‑yao‑san decreased the serum levels of stress‑induced corticosterone in the model animals. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that Dan‑zhi‑xiao‑yao‑san exerted anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects in a rat model of chronic stress via attenuation of stress‑induced upregulation of α‑synuclein and corticosterone, and downregulation of PP2A in the hippocampus.
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August-2016
Volume 14 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Spandidos Publications style
Cao GP, Gui D, Fu LD, Guo ZK and Fu WJ: Anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal formulation Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of chronic stress. Mol Med Rep 14: 1247-1254, 2016
APA
Cao, G., Gui, D., Fu, L., Guo, Z., & Fu, W. (2016). Anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal formulation Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of chronic stress. Molecular Medicine Reports, 14, 1247-1254. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2016.5382
MLA
Cao, G., Gui, D., Fu, L., Guo, Z., Fu, W."Anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal formulation Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of chronic stress". Molecular Medicine Reports 14.2 (2016): 1247-1254.
Chicago
Cao, G., Gui, D., Fu, L., Guo, Z., Fu, W."Anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal formulation Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san in a rat model of chronic stress". Molecular Medicine Reports 14, no. 2 (2016): 1247-1254. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2016.5382