OBJECTIVE: Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms associated with autistic spectrum disorder. The essential oil of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson, usually known as ylang-ylang oil (YYO), is often used in aromatherapy as a mood-regulating agent, sedative, or hypotensive agent. In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of YYO in alleviating anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors in autism-like rats were investigated. METHODS: The prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model was used to induce autism-like behaviors in offspring rats. The effectiveness of prenatal sodium valproate treatment (600 mg/kg) on offspring was shown by postnatal growth observation, and negative geotaxis, olfactory discrimination and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Then three treatment groups were formed with varying exposure to atomized YYO to explore the effects of YYO on the anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors of the autistic-like offspring through the elevated plus-maze test, three-chamber social test, and MWM test. Finally, the monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine and their metabolites, in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the rats were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Offspring of VPA exposure rats showed autism-like behaviors. In the VPA offspring, medium-dose YYO exposure significantly elevated the time and entries into the open arms in the elevated plus-maze test, while low-dose YYO exposure significantly enhanced the social interaction time with the stranger rat in session 1 of the three-chamber social test. VPA offspring treated with YYO exposure used less time to reach the platform in the navigation test of the MWM test. YYO exposure significantly elevated the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine in the PFC of VPA offspring. CONCLUSION YYO exposure showed the effects in alleviating anxiety and improving cognitive and social abilities in the offspring of VPA exposure rats. The role of YYO was related to the regulation of the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine. Please cite this article as: Zhang N, Wang ST, Yao L. Inhalation of Cananga odorata essential oil relieves anxiety behaviors in autism-like rats via regulation of serotonin and dopamine metabolism. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 205-214.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Rats ; Animals ; Autistic Disorder/drug therapy* ; Oils, Volatile/therapeutic use* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Cananga/metabolism* ; Dopamine ; Anxiety/drug therapy* ; Valproic Acid/pharmacology* ; Plant Oils ; Disease Models, Animal

Opioid use disorder (OUD) has become a considerable global public health challenge; however, potential medications for the management of OUD that are effective, safe, and nonaddictive are not available. Accumulating preclinical evidence indicates that antagonists of the dopamine D₃ receptor (D₃R) have effects on addiction in different animal models. We have previously reported that YQA14, a D₃R antagonist, exhibits very high affinity and selectivity for D₃Rs over D₂Rs, and is able to inhibit cocaine- or methamphetamine-induced reinforcement and reinstatement in self-administration tests. In the present study, our results illustrated that YQA14 dose-dependently reduced infusions under the fixed-ratio 2 procedure and lowered the breakpoint under the progressive-ratio procedure in heroin self-administered rats, also attenuated heroin-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. On the other hand, YQA14 not only reduced morphine-induced expression of conditioned place preference but also facilitated the extinguishing process in mice. Moreover, we elucidated that YQA14 attenuated opioid-induced reward or reinforcement mainly by inhibiting morphine-induced up-regulation of dopaminergic neuron activity in the ventral tegmental area and decreasing dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens with a fiber photometry recording system. These findings suggest that D₃R might play a very important role in opioid addiction, and YQA14 may have pharmacotherapeutic potential in attenuating opioid-induced addictive behaviors dependent on the dopamine system.
Rats ; Mice ; Animals ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Dopamine ; Heroin/pharmacology* ; Dopamine Antagonists/pharmacology* ; Receptors, Dopamine D3/metabolism* ; Morphine/pharmacology* ; Behavior, Addictive/drug therapy* ; Self Administration

Dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play an important role in cognition, emergence from anesthesia, reward, and aversion, and their projection to the cortex is a crucial part of the "bottom-up" ascending activating system. The prelimbic cortex (PrL) is one of the important projection regions of the VTA. However, the roles of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA and the VTA^DA-PrL pathway under sevoflurane anesthesia in rats remain unclear. In this study, we found that intraperitoneal injection and local microinjection of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist (Chloro-APB) into the PrL had an emergence-promoting effect on sevoflurane anesthesia in rats, while injection of a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist (SCH23390) deepened anesthesia. The results of chemogenetics combined with microinjection and optogenetics showed that activating the VTA^DA-PrL pathway prolonged the induction time and shortened the emergence time of anesthesia. These results demonstrate that the dopaminergic system in the VTA has an emergence-promoting effect and that the bottom-up VTA^DA-PrL pathway facilitates emergence from sevoflurane anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Dopaminergic Neurons/metabolism* ; Rats ; Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism* ; Sevoflurane/pharmacology* ; Ventral Tegmental Area/metabolism*

To investigate the effect of Rehmanniae Radix on depression-like behavior and monoamine neurotransmitters of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) model rats. CUMS combined with isolated feeding was used to induce the depression model of rats. The depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swim test. Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE) staining was used to investigate the pathological changes of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 area of hippocampus. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS) was used to detect the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA), dopamine(DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid(DOPAC), homovanillic acid(HVA), norepinephrine(NE), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol(MHPG) in rats. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of tryptophan hydroxylase 2(TPH2), serotonin transporter(SERT), and monoamine oxidase A(MAO-A) in the hippocampus of rats. Compared with the normal group, depressive-like behavior of rats was obvious in the model group. The arrangements of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 area of hippocampus were loose and disorderly. The levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/5-HIAA in the hippocampal area were decreased(P<0.01). The protein expression of TPH2 was decreased(P<0.01), but those of SERT and MAO-A were increased(P<0.01). In the Rehmanniae Radix groups with 1.8 g·kg~(-1) and 7.2 g·kg~(-1), the depression-like behavior of CUMS rats and pathological changes of neurons in CA1, CA3 area of hippocampus were improved. The protein expression of TPH2(P<0.05, P<0.01) was increased, and those of SERT and MAO-A were down-regulated(P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/5-HIAA in hippocampus were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01). The changes in DA, DOPAC, HVA, DA/(DOPAC +HVA), NE, DHPG, and NE/DHPG were not statistically significant. The results suggested that Rehmanniae Radix improved depression-like behavior of CUMS rats, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of synthesis, transportation, and metabolism of 5-HT neurotransmitter in the hippocampus.
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS)/pharmacology* ; Hematoxylin/pharmacology* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Homovanillic Acid/pharmacology* ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid/metabolism* ; Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol/pharmacology* ; Monoamine Oxidase/metabolism* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Norepinephrine/pharmacology* ; Plant Extracts ; Rats ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/pharmacology* ; Stress, Psychological/metabolism* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Tryptophan Hydroxylase/metabolism*

Previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) promotes recovery of motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD). However the mechanisms are not completely understood. Clinically, the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a critical target for deep brain stimulation treatment of PD, and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGluT1) plays an important role in the modulation of glutamate in the STN derived from the cortex. In this study, a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model of PD was treated with 100 Hz EA for 4 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) showed that EA treatment had no effect on TH expression in the ipsilateral striatum or substantia nigra pars compacta, though it alleviated several of the parkinsonian motor symptoms. Compared with the hemi-parkinsonian rats without EA treatment, the 100 Hz EA treatment significantly decreased apomorphine-induced rotation and increased the latency in the Rotarod test. Notably, the EA treatment reversed the 6-OHDA-induced down-regulation of VGluT1 in the STN. The results demonstrated that EA alleviated motor symptoms and up-regulated VGluT1 in the ipsilateral STN of hemi-parkinsonian rats, suggesting that up-regulation of VGluT1 in the STN may be related to the effects of EA on parkinsonian motor symptoms via restoration of function in the cortico-STN pathway.
Adrenergic Agents ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apomorphine ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine Agonists ; pharmacology ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Functional Laterality ; drug effects ; Male ; Medial Forebrain Bundle ; injuries ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; physiology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Subthalamic Nucleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1 ; metabolism

The aim of the present study was to observe whether dopamine receptor (DR) was involved in the effects of sodium salicylate (SS) on the expressions of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in rat cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Forty-eight hours after primary culture of rat SGNs, immunofluorescence technique was applied to detect expressions of DR1 and DR2, the two subtypes of dopamine receptors. Western blot was performed to assess NMDA receptor NR1 subunit and GABAreceptor subunit α2 (GABRα2) protein expressions in the SGNs after the treatments of SS alone or in combination with DR antagonists. The results demonstrated that: (1) The DR1 and DR2 were expressed in the bodies and axons of the SGN; (2) After the treatment with SS, the surface protein expressions of GABRα2 and NR1 were decreased by 44.69% and 21.57%, respectively, while the total protein expressions showed no significant changes; (3) Neither SS + SCH23390 (DR1 antagonist) group nor SS + Eticlopride (DR2 antagonist) group showed significant differences in GABRα2 and NR1 surface protein expressions compared with the control group. These results suggest that SS regulates the surface GABAand NMDA receptors trafficking on SGN, and the mechanism may involve DR mediation.
Animals ; Benzazepines ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cochlea ; cytology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Rats ; Receptors, Dopamine ; metabolism ; Receptors, GABA-A ; metabolism ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Sodium Salicylate ; toxicity ; Spiral Ganglion ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Baichanting Compound (BC) on dopamine (DA) in striatum of Parkinson's disease (PD) mice, and to screen the optimal component proportion.

METHODSThe PD model was established in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced C57BL/6 mice. By using uniform design, they were intervened by three extracts of BC in different proportions [Acanthopanax senticosus extract (X1): white peony root extract (X2): Uncaria rhynchophylla extract (X3) = 30.00: 34.92: 82.50, 48.00: 19.98: 72.19, 18.00: 44.88: 61.88, 36.00: 29.94: 51.56, 54.00: 15.00: 41.25, 24.00: 39.90: 30.94, 42.00: 24.96: 20.63). Equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. The dopamine (DA) content was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Except 10 in the normal group, 20 PD model mice were screened and divided into the model group and the BC group (with the optimal proportion) according to random digit table. BC extract in optimal proportion was administered to mice in the BC group by gastrogavage, while equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. Praxiology was observed in each group. DA content in striatum was also detected. Results Compared with the normal group, the DA content in striatum decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01), suggesting a successful PD modeling. Compared with the model group, the DA content in striatum increased significantly in 1 and 2 groups (P<0.05). According to results of quadratic polynomial stepwise regression statistics, the regression equation obtained was: Y = 0.265 + 0.026 X 2 - 0.056 X 3 + 0.334 x 10(-3) x X1 x X3 + 0.691 x 10(-3) X X3(2). X3 extract was the main factor influencing the effectiveness (P < 0.01). The optimal proportion of BC was predicted by the regression equation: X1 = 54.00 mg/(kg x d), X2 = 44.88 mg/(kg x d), the X3 = 82.50 mg/(kg x d). The pole climbing time was shortened, times of autonomic activities increased, DA content was elevated, all with statistical difference in BC groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC could increase DA content in PD model mice with the optimal proportion as 54.00: 44.88: 82.50.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Motor Activity ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of salidroside on tic behavior and in vivo dopamine DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels in Tourette syndrome (TS) model rats.

METHODSForty rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the TS model group, the haloperidol-treated group (0.5 mg/kg x d(-1)), and the salidroside-treated group (50 mg/kg x d(-1)), 10 in each group. TS rat model was induced by imino-dipropio-nitrile (IDPN). Peritoneal injection of haloperidol and salidroside was started from the 4th day of modeling in the haloperidol-treated group and the salidroside-treated group respectively. Normal saline was peritoneally injected to rats in the blank control group and the TS model group respectively. Stereotyped behavior was scored, and changes of DA and 5-HT levels in blood and striatum were measured before modeling, after modeling, and after intervention.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the score of the tic behavior was elevated (P < 0.01) , levels of DA and 5-HT in plasma and striatum were reduced in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the same group after modeling, the tic behavior score decreased and plasma DA levels increased in the two treated groups after intervention (P < 0.01). 5-HT content increased in the salidroside-treated group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group after intervention, the tic behavior score was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and DA levels in plasma and striatum were elevated (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the salidroside-treated group and the haloperidol-treated group. Compared with the haloperidol-treated group, the tic behavior score increased (P < 0.01), DA levels in plasma and striatum were lowered (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), the 5-HT level increased in plasma and striatum (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the salidroside-treated group.

CONCLUSIONSIn the salidroside-treated group, the tic behavior was significantly reduced, and DA levels in plasma and striatum were elevated. Its mechanism might be related to regulating activities of dopamine neurons in striatum.

Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; Dopamine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Haloperidol ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Serotonin ; Stereotyped Behavior ; Tics ; drug therapy ; Tourette Syndrome ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of Shen-Fu Injection (SFI) and epinephrine on the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) in a pig model with post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction.

METHODSVentricular fibrillation (VF) was electrically induced in Wu-zhi-shan miniature pigs. After 8 min of untreated VF and 2 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), all animals were randomly administered a bolus injection of saline placebo (SA group, n=10), SFI (0.8 mg/kg, SFI group, n=10) or epinephrine (20 μg/kg, EPI group, n=10). After 4 min of CPR, a 100-J shock was delivered. If the defibrillation attempt failed to attain restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), manual chest compressions were rapidly resumed for a further 2 min followed by a second defibrillation attempt. Hemodynamic variables were recorded, and plasma concentrations of catecholamines were measured. Adenylate cyclase (AC), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the expressions of β1-adrenoceptor (AR) and SERCA 2a were determined.

RESULTSCardiac output, left ventricular dp/dtmax and negative dp/dtmax were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups at 4 and 6 h after ROSC. The expression of β1-AR and SERCA2a at 24 h after ROSC were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe administration of epinephrine during CPR decreased the expression of SERCA2a and aggravated postresuscitation myocardial function (P<0.01). SFI attenuated post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction, and the mechanism might be related to the up-regulation of SERCA2a expression.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cardiac Output ; drug effects ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Injections ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; pathology ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the expressions of HO-2 and CO in the corpus cavernosum of castrated rats in order to further study the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSWe randomly divided 72 male SD rats into four groups: normal control, sham operation, castration, and castration + ZnPP. We detected intracavernous pressure (ICP) and penile erection in the basic condition and after apomorphine (APO) induction, determined the expression of the HO-2 protein in the corpus cavernosum by laser scanning confocal microscopy, and measured the level of CO by spectrophotometry during different periods of penile erection.

RESULTSThe ICP in the basic condition and that after APO induction and the rate of penile erection were decreased significantly in the castration group ([11.68 ± 0.69] mmHg, [54.81 ± 3.86] mmHg, and 33.3%) and the castration + ZnPP group ([11.20 ± 0.71] mmHg, [41.17 ± 5.41] mmHg, and 22.2%) as compared with the normal control ([22.83 ± 2.66] mmHg, [66.92 ± 7.77] mm-Hg, and 100%) and the sham operation group ([23.35 ±2.22] mmHg, [70.43 ?7. 22] mmHg, and 100%) (all P <0. 01). After APO induction, ICP in the castration + ZnPP group was remarkably reduced in comparison with that in the castration group (P < 0.01), and so was the expression of the HO-2 protein before and during penile erection in the castration (445.4 ± 23.7 and 847.4 ± 35.0) and the castration + ZnPP group (390.1 ± 29.7 and 526.0 ± 52.5) compared with the normal control (512.7 ±57.4 and 1145.2 ± 89.8) and the sham operation group (583.7 ± 8.0 and 1016.3 ± 79.8), the expression of the HO-2 protein significantly decreased in the castration group (445.4 ± 23.7 and 847.4 ± 35.0) (P < 0.05 or 0.01), markedly lower in the castration + ZnPP than in the castration group during penile erection (P < 0.01) but with no significant differences among the four groups after it. Before, during and after penile erection, the levels of CO were remarkably decreased in the castration ([20.59 ± 1.01], [32.53 ± 1.26], and [18.71 ± 1.22] x 10(-7) nmol/L) and the castration +ZnPP group ([12.52 ± 1.05], [21.90 ± 1.02], and [16.56 ± 0.55] x 10(-7) nmol/L) as compared with the normal control ([26.76 ± 1.41], [48.25 ± 1.01], and [27.10 ± 1.58 ] x 10(-7) nmol/L) and the sham operation group ([25.41 ± 2.09], [ 47.90 ± 1.22], and [25.67 ± 1.20] x 10(-7) nmol/L) (P < 0.05 or 0.01), significantly lower in the castration + ZnPP than in the castration group during penile erection (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDecreased expressions of HO-2 and CO may correlate with erectile dysfunction in castrated rats.

Animals ; Apomorphine ; pharmacology ; Carbon Monoxide ; metabolism ; Dopamine Agonists ; pharmacology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Chaperones ; metabolism ; Orchiectomy ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley