Hypericum Perforatum Decreased Hippocampus TNF-alpha and Corticosterone Levels with No Effect on Kynurenine/Tryptophan Ratio in Bilateral Ovariectomized Rats.
10.4196/kjpp.2014.18.3.233
- Author:
Wesam M EL-BAKLY
1
;
Amany H HASANIN
Author Information
1. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbasia, Cairo 11566, Egypt. w_bakly@yahoo.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Corticosterone;
Hypericum perforatum;
Kyninurenine;
TNF-alpha;
Tryptophan
- MeSH:
Animals;
Corticosterone*;
Depression;
Hippocampus*;
Hypericum*;
Kynurenine;
Metabolism;
Models, Animal;
Physical Exertion;
Rats*;
Tryptophan;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*
- From:The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
2014;18(3):233-239
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The present study was designed to investigate the effect Hypericum Perforatum (HP), on behavioral changes, corticosterone, TNF-alpha levels and tryptophan metabolism and disposition in bilateral ovariectomized rats compared to 17alpha -ethinylestradiol. Behavioral analysis by measuring immobility time in forced swimming test and open field test, serum and hippocampal corticosterone and TNF-alpha along with hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio were determined in mature ovariectomized rats treated orally either by HP at three different doses 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day or by 17alpha-ethinylestradiol 30 microg/kg/day for 30 days. Ovariectomized rats showed significant increase in immobility time in the forced swimming test. Along with elevation in serum and hippocampal TNF-alpha and corticosterone levels associated with significant increase in hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio. Immobility time in the forced swimming test was decreased in rats treated by different doses of HP in a dose dependent manner and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol with no concomitant changes in the open field test. Only Rats treated with HP exhibited significant decrease in the elevated serum and hippocampal TNF-alpha and corticosterone, which couldn't explain the associated insignificant effect on hippocampaus kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in comparison to ovariectomized untreated rats. It is concluded that increased tryptophan metabolism toward kynurenine secondary to elevated corticosterone and TNF-alpha might be one of the pathohphysiological mechanisms that could explain depression like state observed in this rat model. Further, the observed attenuating effect of HP on TNF-alpha and corticosterone could contribute in its antidepressant effect in this animal model by other ways than their effects on tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism pathway.
