Hippocampal pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide mediates rapid antidepressant-like effects of Yueju pill.

Yueju pill, a Chinese Medicine, up-regulates PACAP to activate PKA-CREB signaling and produce rapid antidepressant effects. Mice with hippocampal PACAP knockdown exhibited depression-like behavior and blunted antidepressant response. Administration of Yueju pill increased PACAP and PKA levels, and reversed depression-like behavior in chronically stressed mice. Iridoids fraction of Gardenia jasminoides was identified as an important component of Yueju pill with rapid antidepressant-like behavior through increased hippocampal PACAP expression. The study suggests that up-regulation of PACAP may represent a novel mechanism for antidepressant effects.

Ren L et al (2023).

Neuropeptides.

DOI:

10.1016/j.npep.2023.102350

PubMed:

37285664

Neuroprotective Effect of Morinda citrifolia on Behavioural and Biochemical Deficits in PTZ-induced Kindled Mice.

Researchers used a chronic epileptic mouse model to better understand epilepsy and search for new anti-epileptic drugs. They repeatedly delivered sub-convulsive stimuli, causing massive convulsions. They also looked at the effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) extracts, which have been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments and were recently shown to help protect mice from memory loss caused by amyloid beta. This study could lead to new treatments for epilepsy and other neurological conditions.

Ali M et al (2023).

Infect Disord Drug Targets.

DOI:

10.2174/1871526523666230605160222

PubMed:

37282657

Production of the antidepressant orcinol glucoside in Yarrowia lipolytica with yields over 6,400-fold higher than plant extraction.

Researchers used a screening pipeline to identify the genes responsible for biosynthesis of the antidepressant compound orcinal glucoside in a Chinese herb. They then improved production of the compound 100-fold by optimizing fermentation in Y. lipolytica. The final yield was 6,400 times higher than from the natural root source. This approach can be used to identify genes for other natural products and improve their production.

Chen B et al (2023).

PLoS Biol.

DOI:

10.1371/journal.pbio.3002131

PubMed:

37279234

Potential Mechanisms of Imidacloprid-Induced Neurotoxicity in Adult Rats with Attempts on Protection Using Origanum majorana L. Oil/Extract: In Vivo and In Silico Studies.

Researchers investigated the impact of using essential oil or methanol extract from the aerial parts of Origanum majorana to protect rats against imidacloprid-induced neurotoxicity. They found that rats given OMO or OME along with imidacloprid showed less neurobehavioral and neuropathological damage, as well as improved levels of acetylcholine esterase, dopamine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain. Both extracts had potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects that helped protect against imidacloprid's effects. The study recommends daily intake of Origanum majorana to protect against neuroinflammatory stress and apoptosis induced by insecticides.

Hassanen EI et al (2023).

ACS Omega.

DOI:

10.1021/acsomega.2c08295

PubMed:

37273614

Antidepressant effects of p-coumaric acid isolated from Vaccinium bracteatum leaves extract on chronic restraint stress mouse model and antagonism of serotonin 6 receptor in vitro.

Researchers investigated the effects of p-coumaric acid (CA) on chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced immobility and serotonin (5-HT) receptor activity in mice. CA is the main active component of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves, which are used in traditional medicine to treat various biological diseases. The study found that CA reduced CRS-induced immobility and increased 5-HT receptor activity, suggesting a potential therapeutic use in stress-related disorders.

Oh DR et al (2023).

Phytomedicine.

DOI:

10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154871

PubMed:

37270968

Tanshinone IIA inhibited intermittent hypoxia induced neuronal injury through promoting autophagy via AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can impair brain function. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is from Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been shown to have protective properties in conditions of intermittent hypoxia. The specific mechanism of Tan IIA is still being studied.

Si J et al (2023).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2023.116677

PubMed:

37268259

Withania somnifera inhibits photorefractoriness which triggers neuronal apoptosis in both pre-optic and paraventricular hypothalamic area of Coturnix coturnix japonica: involvement of oxidative stress induced p53 dependent Caspase-3 mediated low immunoreactivity of estrogen receptor alpha.

Study on quails reveals Withania somnifera root extract increases estrogen, decreases corticosterone, reduces neuronal apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Prolonged light exposure causes apoptosis and stress, but WS root extract reverses these effects through increased estrogen and ERα expression.

Baghel K, Niranjan MK and Srivastava R (2023).

Photochem Photobiol Sci.

DOI:

10.1007/s43630-023-00442-0

PubMed:

37266906

Correction to: Indian ginseng (Withania somnifera) supplementation ameliorates oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions in experimental model of stroke.

Sood A et al (2023).

Metab Brain Dis.

DOI:

10.1007/s11011-023-01228-0

PubMed:

37261633