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26 February 2013, Volume 3 Issue 1 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Antidepressive-like Effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 and Its Mechanism HUANG Qian, CHU Shi-feng, LIAN Xiao-yuan, ZHANG Jun-tian 2013, 3 (1):  1-11.  Abstract ( 3235 )   PDF (1291KB) ( 2405 )   Objective: To investigate the anti-depressive-like effects and mechanisms of Ginsenoside Rg1. Methods: Antidepressant-like effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 was assessed in mice tail suspension test and forced swim test, and trat chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) (28 days) test. Rg1 (5, 10, 20 mg·kg-1·d-1) and duloxetine (10 mg·kg-1·d-1) were studied. Results: Rg1 (5, 10, 20 mg·kg-1) significantly reduced the immobility time in both forced swimming and tail suspension tests. In animals receiving CUMS, they showed an increased immobility in the forced swimming test and decreased sucrose preference test, and Rg1 produced a significant decrease of immobility time and an increase of sucrose intake percentage. The anti-depressive-like mechanisms of Rg1 involved the activation of cAMP signal transduction pathways induced by PDE4, and the increase of androgens level as well as the promotion of the synaptogenesis. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg1 has robust antidepressant-like effects in acute and chronic models of depression, and the underlying mechanisms could involve regulating neurotransmitter release, reducing glucocorticoid levels and increasing the expression of neurotrophic factors as well as enhancing synaptic plasticity. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Effect of Polygalasaponin F on Rotenone-induced PC12 Cells and the Expression of CREB WU Miao-miao，YUAN Yu-he，CHEN Nai-hong 2013, 3 (1):  12-16.  Abstract ( 2585 )   PDF (906KB) ( 2132 )   Objective：To investigate the effect of polygalasaponin F (PS-F) on the PC12 cells insulted by rotenone and the expression of CREB. Methods：The cell morphology was observed by inverted microscope. Caspase-3 activity was determined by caspase 3 activity assay kit. The expression of CREB was examined by luciferase reporter assay system. Results: When exposed to 4 μmol·L-1 rotenone, a lot of PC12 cells were apoptotic, and the activity of caspase 3 was increased significantly. When treated with PS-F, the damage of the cells was reduced significantly and the caspase 3 activity was decreased significantly. PS-F could increase the expression of CREB. Conclusion: PS-F protects PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by rotenone and the neuroprotective effect may be related to increasing the expression of CREB. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Assessment of 6-hydroxydopamine-Lesion Induced Behavioral Alteration As a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease YANG Qian-qian, SUN Fang-ling, AI Hou-xi, ZHANG Li, WANG Wen 2013, 3 (1):  17-22.  Abstract ( 3523 )   PDF (846KB) ( 2988 )   Objective: To systematically evaluate 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced behavioral alteration as a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Methods: 6-OHDA was microinjected into the left side of the substantia nigra striatum to damage the dopaminergic neurons in the SD rats. Three weeks later, intraperitoneal injection of APO (apomorphine) to observe the rotational behavior. The motoric function of animals was analyzed with Rotarod test and Open field test, and the rat’s muslce vibration frequency and amplitude were determined using the myoelectricity test. The severity of the behavioral alterations of the individual animals was also categorized. Results: The time of rats that remained on the rotarod was significantly reduced in model group as compared to sham group. In the open-field test, the horizontal travel distance was decreased in the model group. The myoelectricity test result showed that the muscle vibration frequency and amplitude was increased in animals receiving 6-OHDA microinjection. Conclusion: These results provided behavioral evidence in future studies to evaluate and categorize Parkinson-like behaviors in rats. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4)：the Potential Therapeutic Target for Alcohol Dependence WEN Rui-ting ZHANG Han-ting LIANG Jian-hui 2013, 3 (1):  23-27.  Abstract ( 2561 )   PDF (773KB) ( 1880 )   Alcohol dependence is a psychiatric disease, which leads to serious individual and social harms. Latest advances in neurobiological research indicate the important role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signal transduction in the development of alcohol drinking behavior. As a member of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) super family, PDE4 specifically catalyzes the hydrolysis of cAMP and represents a key point in regulating intracellular cAMP levels. Accumulating studies show that PDE4 inhibitors may be a novel class of pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence. Here we review the existing evidence that support PDE4 as a novel theraputic target for alcohol dependence. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Protective Effects of Volatile Anesthetics on Organ Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury LI Ying-jie，YANG Bao-xue 2013, 3 (1):  28-36.  Abstract ( 2722 )   PDF (768KB) ( 2344 )   Volatile anesthetics are widely used in general anesthesia because of their favorable properties, such as safety, reliability, stability and easily controllable. Recent studies have revealed that volatile anesthetics have protective effects on a variety of organs such as brain, heart, liver, kidney after ischemia/reperfusion at molecular and cellular levels by reducing cell damages and infarction area. In this review article, we summarize the protective effects of volatile anesthetics on the organs and discuss the mechanisms of the protective action. Volatile anesthetic can play protective roles by activating ion channels, inhibiting cell apoptosis, regulating genes, reducing the free radicals. This article lays a theoretical foundation for the reasonable application of anesthetics during operations and reducing ischemia reperfusion injury. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Effect of Sleep on Memory Consolidation SHENG Zhao-fu, ZHANG Yong-he 2013, 3 (1):  37-47.  Abstract ( 3574 )   PDF (993KB) ( 2953 )   Delayed post learning sleep but not wakefulness enhances memory consolidation. Different types of learning have unique sleep-related memory consolidation mechanisms that act in dissociable brain regions during different sleep phases throughout the night. Sleep exerts beneficial effect on memory consolidation by improving formation of long-term potentiation. Total sleep deprivation, rapid eye movement sleep deprivation and sleep fragmentation may lead to memory deficits through different molecular mechanisms. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Neuropharmacology of Imiazoline-I2 Receptors QIU Yan-yan, LI Jun-xu, HE Xiao-hua 2013, 3 (1):  48-64.  Abstract ( 3841 )   PDF (955KB) ( 2009 )   Imidazoline-I2 receptor is a group of non-G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Its physiological function and clinical significance remains elusive. Accumulating evidence has implicated the imidazoline-I2 receptors in a wide range of behavioral effects, including analgesia, antidepressant-like effects, modulation of μ opioid receptors and neuroprotection. Here, we provided an updated overview of its location, molecular structure, signal transduction, endogenous ligands, synthetic ligands and related neuropharmacological effects. References | Related Articles | Metrics