Hypericum perforatum decreased hippocampus TNF-α and corticosterone levels with no effect on kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in bilateral ovariectomized rats
El-Bakly, W.M.;
Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the effect Hypericum Perforatum (HP), on behavioral changes, corticosterone, TNF-α levels and tryptophan metabolism and disposition in bilateral ovariectomized rats compared to 17α-ethinylestradiol. Behavioral analysis by measuring immobility time in forced swimming test and open field test, serum and hippocampal corticosterone and TNF-α along with hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio were determined in mature ovariectomized rats treated orally either by HP at three different doses 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day or by 17α- ethinylestradiol 30 μg/kg/day for 30 days. Ovariectomized rats showed significant increase in immobility time in the forced swimming test. Along with elevation in serum and hippocampal TNF-α and corticosterone levels associated with significant increase in hippocampal kynurenine/tryptophan ratio. Immobility time in the forced swimming test was decreased in rats treated by different doses of HP in a dose dependent manner and 17α-ethinylestradiol with no concomitant changes in the open field test. Only Rats treated with HP exhibited significant decrease in the elevated serum and hippocampal TNF-α and corticosterone, which couldn't explain the associated insignificant effect on hippocampaus kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in comparison to ovariectomized untreated rats. It is concluded that increased tryptophan metabolism toward kynurenine secondary to elevated corticosterone and TNF-α might be one of the pathohphysiological mechanisms that could explain depression like state observed in this rat model. Further, the observed attenuating effect of HP on TNF-α and corticosterone could contribute in its antidepressant effect in this animal model by other ways than their effects on tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism pathway. Copyright © 2014 The Korean Physiological Society and The Korean Society of Pharmacology.
Other data
Title | Hypericum perforatum decreased hippocampus TNF-α and corticosterone levels with no effect on kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in bilateral ovariectomized rats | Authors | El-Bakly, W.M. | Issue Date | 1-Jan-2014 | Journal | Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology | DOI | 3 233 http://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84904315636 18 10.4196/kjpp.2014.18.3.233 |
PubMed ID | 24976763 | Scopus ID | 2-s2.0-84904315636 |
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