Panax ginseng exerts antidepressant-like effects by suppressing neuroinflammatory response and upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 signaling in the amygdala

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2017.04.012
• Publication Date: 2017-04-29T05:32:26Z
• Authors: Jong Hee Choi; Min Jung Lee; Minhee Jang; Hak-Jae Kim; Sanghyun Lee; Sang Won Lee; Young Ock Kim; Ik-Hyun Cho
• Keywords: COPP

Depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed neuropsychiatric diseases, but underlying mechanism and medicine are not well-known. Although Panax ginseng has been reported to exert protective effects in various neurological studies, little information available regarding its antidepressant effects. Here, we examined effect P. extract (PGE) a chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced depression model mice. Oral administration PGE for 14 d decreased immobility (depression-like behaviors) time forced swim tail suspended tests after CRS induction, which corresponded with attenuation levels serum adrenocorticotropic hormone corticosterone, as well attenuated c-Fos expression amygdala. enhanced messenger RNA level brain-derived neurotrophic factor ameliorated microglial activation neuroinflammation (the protein cyclooxygenase-2 inducible nitric oxide synthase) amygdala mice induction. Interestingly, 14-d treatment celecoxib, selective inhibitor, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, synthase depression-like behaviors Additionally, inhibited upregulation nuclear erythroid 2 related heme oxygenase-1 pathways. Taken together, our findings suggest that exerts antidepressant-like CRS-induced by antineuroinflammatory antioxidant (nuclear 2/heme activation) activities inhibiting hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis mechanism. Further studies needed evaluate potential components an alternative depression, including clinical trial evaluation.