Antidepressant effects of Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts on rat models with depression in terms of immobile behavior

ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects of the Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts in response to the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) in rats.MethodsMale Wistar rats (9-week-old) were orally administered the Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) daily for 14 consecutive days. Serum corticosterone level was measured by using commercially available kit. The c-fos immunoreactivity was analyzed using immunohistochemistry methods.ResultsThe effect of Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts on the immobility time was significantly decreased at high-dose (300 mg/kg) treated group in the TST and FST (47.7% and 69.6%, P<0.05), and decreased the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to the stress, as indicated by an attenuated corticosterone response and decreased c-fos immunoreactivity in the hippocampal and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus region.ConclusionRadix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts have beneficial effects on depression behaviors and restore both altered c-fos expression and HPA activity. Thus, Radix et Caulis Acanthopanacis Santicosi extracts may be a novel agent for the treatment of stress-related disorders.