Objective We explored the anti-depressant activity and mechanism of arecoline in vivo in a mouse model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress.The aim was to explore the possible mechanisms of action,providing experimental evidence for further research into the health benefits of arecoline and theoretical support for the scientific development and utilization of this resource.Methods Sixty quarantine-qualified SPF C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into a control group,model group,fluoxetine group(20 mg/kg),and arecoline low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(10,20,and 40 mg/kg,respectively)according to body mass(n=10 mice per group).The effects of arecoline on the behavior of the mice were evaluated by open-field,tail-suspension,and forced-swimming tests.Serum corticosterone and serum and brain levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay.Malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and norepinephrine(NE)levels in brain tissue,and dopamine(DA),gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-10,IL-1β,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),tropomyosin receptor kinase B(TrkB),and cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB)were detected by Western Blot.Results Arecoline significantly reduced the total distance and average speed of the model mice in open field tests and increased activities,and significantly reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests.Arecoline also significantly decreased serum corticosterone levels,increased SOD and CAT,and decreased MDA levels.5-HT,DA,NE,and GABA levels were significantly increased,and the cytokines TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly decreased.Expression levels of BDNF,TrkB,and CREB in the brain tissue were significantly increased.Conclusions Research has found that arecoline has a significant antidepressant ability,and its mechanism may be achieved by reducing oxidative stress damage,inhibiting neuroinflammation,regulating neurotransmitter balance,and regulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway..This study explored the antidepressant efficacy of arecoline and preliminarily revealed its possible regulatory mechanism,which can provide data support for the neuroactivity of arecoline and lay a theoretical foundation for the development of arecoline as medicine.

Objective We explored the anti-depressant activity and mechanism of arecoline in vivo in a mouse model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress.The aim was to explore the possible mechanisms of action,providing experimental evidence for further research into the health benefits of arecoline and theoretical support for the scientific development and utilization of this resource.Methods Sixty quarantine-qualified SPF C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into a control group,model group,fluoxetine group(20 mg/kg),and arecoline low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(10,20,and 40 mg/kg,respectively)according to body mass(n=10 mice per group).The effects of arecoline on the behavior of the mice were evaluated by open-field,tail-suspension,and forced-swimming tests.Serum corticosterone and serum and brain levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay.Malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and norepinephrine(NE)levels in brain tissue,and dopamine(DA),gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-10,IL-1β,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),tropomyosin receptor kinase B(TrkB),and cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB)were detected by Western Blot.Results Arecoline significantly reduced the total distance and average speed of the model mice in open field tests and increased activities,and significantly reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests.Arecoline also significantly decreased serum corticosterone levels,increased SOD and CAT,and decreased MDA levels.5-HT,DA,NE,and GABA levels were significantly increased,and the cytokines TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly decreased.Expression levels of BDNF,TrkB,and CREB in the brain tissue were significantly increased.Conclusions Research has found that arecoline has a significant antidepressant ability,and its mechanism may be achieved by reducing oxidative stress damage,inhibiting neuroinflammation,regulating neurotransmitter balance,and regulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway..This study explored the antidepressant efficacy of arecoline and preliminarily revealed its possible regulatory mechanism,which can provide data support for the neuroactivity of arecoline and lay a theoretical foundation for the development of arecoline as medicine.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation of total saponins and total polysaccharides content in the roots of Pari-dis rhizoma genus plants with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)infection rate and rhizosphere soil nutrients. METHODS:Tak-ing 16 pieces of Paridis rhizoma herbs and rhizosphere soil in Three Gorges Reservoir Area as the research object,mycorrhizal in-fection rate and infection intensity,the contents of total saponins and total polysaccharides in roots and stem,and rhizosphere soil nutrient contents were all determined. SPSS18.0 software was adopted for data multiple comparison and correlation analysis. RE-SULTS:Paridis rhizoma genus plants roots in Three Gorges Reservoir Area could form a good symbiotic relationship with AMF. In-fection rate ranged from 85.19% to 99.80%,and infection intensity ranged from 16.55% to 72.27%. Paridis rhizoma from differ-ent origins and varieties had significant difference in the contents of total saponins and total polysaccharides (P<0.05). Soil pH was moderate,the average content of total nitrogen was in insufficient level,the average concentration of the remaining nutrients belonged to middle levels or above. Correlation analysis showed that the mycorrhizal infection rate and infection intensity of Paridis rhizoma were not significantly correlated with its quality. The total saponins were significantly negatively correlated with organic matter and available nitrogen. The total saponins and total polysaccharides were positively correlated with available phosphorus,po-tassium and pH value,but they were not significantly correlated with the other soil nutrients. CONCLUSIONS:Paridis rhizoma is selective to different soil nutrients. Rich soil available phosphorus and potassium supply are in favor of the synthesis and accumula-tion of total saponins and total polysaccharides in Paridis rhizoma roots.