Suanzaoren Decoction Alleviates Anxiety- and Depression-Like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress via Regulating Pyramidal Neuron Activity in Basolateral Amygdala of Mice.
10.1007/s11655-025-3942-6
- Author:
Chang-Feng CHEN
1
;
Yin-Huan GAO
1
;
Qin FANG
1
;
Yong-Feng ZHOU
2
;
Yong LIU
2
;
Jian WU
2
;
Hao CHEN
2
;
Lie-Cheng WANG
1
;
Lei CHEN
3
Author Information
1. Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
2. Departments of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, China.
3. Departments of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230031, China. azyfychenlei@ahmu.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Chinese medicine;
Suanzaoren Decoction;
anxiety- and depression-like behavior;
basolateral amygdala;
chronic restraint stress;
pyramidal neuron
- MeSH:
Animals;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*;
Depression/complications*;
Pyramidal Cells/pathology*;
Male;
Mice, Inbred C57BL;
Basolateral Nuclear Complex/pathology*;
Restraint, Physical;
Anxiety/complications*;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*;
Stress, Psychological/physiopathology*;
Mice;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism*;
Action Potentials/drug effects*;
Synaptic Transmission/drug effects*
- From:
Chinese journal of integrative medicine
2025;31(11):982-990
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the modulation mechanism of Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) on basolateral amygdala (BLA) neuronal activity to alleviate chronic restraint stress (CRS)-related behavioral deficits.
METHODS:The male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 4 groups using the complete randomization method, including control (CON, n=19), CRS (n=19), SZRD (n=21), and fluoxetine (Flu, n=22) groups. Mice were restrained for 6 h per day, over a 21-d period to establish CRS models. The CON group remained in their cages without food or water during the 6-h matching period. SZRD and Flu groups received intragastric administration of SZRD (4.68 g/kg) and Flu (20 mg/kg) daily, respectively, 30 min before restraint for 21 consecutive days. The therapeutic effects of SZRD were evaluated using behavioral tests including the tail suspension test, elevated plus maze test, and forced swimming test. The cellular Fletcher B. Judson murine osteosarcoma proto-oncogene (c-Fos) expression in the BLA was measured using immunofluorescence, while action potential (AP) firing and synaptic transmission in BLA pyramidal neurons were evaluated using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings.
RESULTS:SZRD administration significantly increased time spent in the open arms and open-arm entries while reducing immobility time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). It downregulated CRS-induced c-Fos expression and AP firing of pyramidal neurons in the BLA (P<0.01). Additionally, SZRD selectively attenuated excitatory (P<0.01), but not inhibitory, synaptic transmission onto BLA pyramidal neurons.
CONCLUSION:SZRD alleviated CRS-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice by modulating the excitability and synaptic transmission of BLA pyramidal neurons.
