Abstract:

Abstract:Objective To observe the effect of Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder on the neuronal apoptosis and autophage in hippocampus of depression model rats,and to explore the mechanism of its anti-depression effect.Methods 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group and drug intervention group (n=20).The depression model was produced by giving the rats chronic unpredicted mild stress.The rats in model group and control group received the same volume of normal saline,and the rats in drug intervention group received Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder solution on the basis of model.The depressional behavior was examined using sucrose preference test,tail-suspension test and Morris water maze. Flow cytometry was employed for the detection and quantification of the apoptotic cells in the hippcampus.The expressions of LC-3 and Beclin 1 were detected using Western blotting method.Results  The pencertages of sucrose preference of the rats in model group and drug intervention group were significantly lower,while the tail-suspension immobility time and the excape latency time were higher than those in control group (P<0.05);the apoptotic rates of cells,the ratios of LC3-Ⅱ/ LC3-Ⅰ and the expression levels of Beclin-1 were higher than those in control group (P<0.05).Compared with model group,the percentage of sucrose preference of the rats in drug intervention group was increased (P<0.05),the tail-suspension immobility time and the excape latency time were decreased (P<0.05),and the apoptotic rate of cells,the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/ LC3-Ⅰand the expression level were also decreased (P<0.05).Conclusion Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder has significant anti-depression effect,which may be related to inhibiting the apoptosis and degrading the autophage of neuros.

Key words: depression, hippocampus, apoptosis, autophage, Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder