Protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate on depressive mice induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the depression. Methods: The depressive mice model induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was established. The behavioristics of the mice exposed to various stress were tested form the open-field, body weight, sucrose preference, forced swimming and tail suspension test for investigating the antidepressant effect of EGCG. Meanwhile, serum CORT, ACTH levels, and the hippocampus MDA, SOD and GSH-Px were estimated. The mRNA expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), IL-1β, and IL-6 in the hippocampus tissue were detected by RT-PCR. Results: EGCG improved the behavioristics of depressive mice, however, it ameliorated the serum CORT and ACTH levels. Moreover, EGCG increased the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, and reduced MDA, IDO, IL-6, and IL-1β expression on the mRNA levels in the hippocampus tissue. Conclusion: EGCG could attenuate depressive status of mice, and the underlying mechanism may related to the reduction of serum CORT and ACTH, down-regulation of MDA, IL-1β, IL-6, and IDO, and up-regulation of SOD and GSH-Px in hippocampus.