Antidepressant-like effects of paeoniflorin on post-stroke depression in a rat model.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most prevalent emotional disorders after stroke and often results in poor outcomes. However, the underlying physiopathologic mechanism and effective treatment of PSD remain poorly elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether paeoniflorin has antidepressant-like activity in a rat model of PSD. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups sham-operated control (Sham), PSD, paeoniflorin (with PSD) and fluoxetine group(with PSD). PSD was developed by the right middle cerebral artery occlusion followed 21 days chronic unpredictable mild stress combined (CUMS) with raised alone. Tests of sucrose preference and open field were used to assess the depression-like behavior. Neurological function was evaluated by neurological deficit score and beam balance test. Expression of phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the CA1 region of the hippocampal complex was evaluated by western blot and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Te depressive-like behaviors markedly improved after paeoniflorin and fluoxetine treatment. Furthermore, paeoniflorin treatment significantly increased BDNF and p-CREB expression in the CA1 region. CONCLUSIONS: Observed results suggested that paeoniflorin could ameliorate the symptoms and improve the functional capability of PSD rats, similar to the effect of fluoxetine. ABBREVIATIONS PSD post-stroke depression; CUMS chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulation; MCAO middle cerebral artery occlusion; OFT open field test; SPT sucrose preference test, NDS neurological deficit score, BBT beam balance test; BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein; p-CREB phosphorylated Cyclic-AMP responsive element binding protein.