Sansoninto attenuates aggressive behavior and increases levels of homovanillic acid, a dopamine metabolite, in social isolation-reared mice

Watanabe T, Iba H, Moriyama H, Kubota K, Katsurabayashi S, Iwasaki K · Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine · 2022 May

DOI 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.08.006

Objective

To investigate the effects of Sansoninto (SST) on stress-induced aggressive behavior in socially isolated mice in adolescence.

Conclusions

SST attenuated stress-induced aggressive behavior in socially isolated mice, increased levels of homovanillic acid, and toned down dopaminergic signaling, suggesting its potential use in treating aggressive behavior in individuals with neurotic symptoms.

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Insights

The herbal medicine Sansoninto can reduce stress-induced aggressive behavior in mice, potentially by adjusting dopaminergic signaling.

Early on in their lives, mice were socially isolated for a time period of six weeks. Their aggressive behavior and overall activity were observed after Sansoninto treatment began four weeks into social isolation. Researchers also examined dopamine and its metabolites within the hypothalamus utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. PCR was employed to analyze gene expression of monoamine oxidase-B, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and tyrosine hydroxylase in the hypothalamus. The findings revealed that Sansoninto treatment led to a significant reduction in the aggressive behavior induced by social isolation while introducing an increase in homovanillic acid, a dopamine metabolite. In spite of this, Sansoninto didn't cause any observable changes in dopamine levels. Mice that experienced social isolation exhibited enhanced locomotion and increased levels of catechol-O-methyltransferase mRNA. Conversely, Sansoninto-treated mice didn't show a significant increase in locomotion, and showed a decrease in catechol-O-methyltransferase mRNA levels. The findings suggest that Sansoninto's effect on reducing aggression can be attributed to its role in moderating dopaminergic signaling.