AI Article Synopsis

  • Honokiol (HNK), derived from Magnolia officinalis, has demonstrated potential antidepressant properties in a rat model subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).
  • HNK treatment resulted in improved behavior in multiple tests (OFT, SPT, and FST) and helped restore normal function in the HPA axis, as shown by decreased levels of stress hormones like CRH, ACTH, and CORT.
  • The study also revealed that HNK enhances the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) in the hippocampus, suggesting its antidepressant effects may be linked to these changes.

Article Abstract

Honokiol (HNK), the main active component of Magnolia officinalis, has shown a variety of pharmacological activities. In the present study, we measured the antidepressant-like effects of HNK in a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and explored its possible mechanisms. The antidepressant-like effects of HNK were assessed in rats by an open field test (OFT), sucrose preference test (SPT) and forced swimming test (FST). Then, serum levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) levels were assessed to explore the possible mechanisms. We identified that HNK treatment (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) alleviated the CUMS-induced behavioural deficits. Treatment with HNK also normalized the CUMS-induced hyperactivity of the limbic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as indicated by reduced CRH, ACTH and CORT serum levels. In addition, HNK increased the expression of GRα (mRNA and protein) and BDNF (mRNA and protein) in the hippocampus. These data confirmed the antidepressant-like effects of HNK, which may be related to its normalizing the function of the HPA axis and increasing the BDNF level in the hippocampus.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11064-018-2566-zDOI Listing

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