Antidepressant Effects of Ginsenoside Rc on L-Alpha-Aminoadipic Acid-Induced Astrocytic Ablation and Neuroinflammation in Mice

Autor: Dohyung Kwon, Yunna Kim, Seung-Hun Cho
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 25, Iss 17, p 9673 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1422-0067
1661-6596
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25179673
Popis: Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental disorder that affects millions worldwide. Current treatments, such as antidepressants targeting the serotonergic system, have limitations, including delayed onset of action and high rates of treatment resistance, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. Ginsenoside Rc (G-Rc) has shown potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, but its antidepressant properties remain unexplored. This study investigated the antidepressant effects of G-Rc in an L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (L-AAA)-induced mouse model of depression, which mimics the astrocytic pathology and neuroinflammation observed in major depressive disorder. Mice were administered G-Rc, vehicle, or imipramine orally after L-AAA injection into the prefrontal cortex. G-Rc significantly reduced the immobility time in forced swimming and tail suspension tests compared to vehicle treatment, with more pronounced effects than imipramine. It also attenuated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, lipocalin-2) and alleviated astrocytic degeneration, as indicated by increased GFAP and decreased IBA-1 levels. Additionally, G-Rc modulated apoptosis-related proteins, decreasing caspase-3 and increasing Bcl-2 levels compared to the L-AAA-treated group. These findings suggest that G-Rc exerts antidepressant effects by regulating neuroinflammation, astrocyte–microglia crosstalk, and apoptotic pathways in the prefrontal cortex, highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for depression.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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