Jiawei-Xiaoyao pill elicits a rapid antidepressant effect, dependent on activating CaMKII/mTOR/BDNF signaling pathway in the hippocampus

Zhang H, Sun Y, Huang Z, Wu Z, Ying Y, Liu R, Lin J, Li C, Chen G · Journal of Ethnopharmacology · 2024 January

DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117016

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Insights

The Jiawei-Xiaoyao pill, a traditional Chinese medicine, has shown rapid and enduring antidepressant effects through stimulation of CaMKII signaling and activation of the mTOR-BDNF pathway.

The research study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant potential of Jiawei-Xiaoyao pill, achieved through the use of various behavioral paradigms and a corticosterone-induced depression model in mice. In addition, measures included the evaluation of molecular neuroplasticity signaling and the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus through the use of immunoblotting and immunostaining. Further exploration was made into the possible influence of specific signaling through the use of pharmacological interventions. The outcomes demonstrated that a single dose of Jiawei-Xiaoyao pill produced quick and lasting antidepressant impacts in both typical and chronic corticosterone-exposed mice. These effects were characterized by an increase at 30 minutes post-dose in the phosphorylation of CaMKII, mTOR, ERK, and the expressions of BDNF, synapsin1, and PSD95. The medicine also restored the expression of BDNF in the hippocampal dentate gyrus reduced by corticosterone exposure.