Baicalin Reverses Depressive-Like Behaviours and Regulates Apoptotic Signalling Induced by Olfactory Bulbectomy.

Apoptosis is thought to be involved in neurological disorders including major depression. In this study, we examined whether the polyphenolic compound baicalin could decrease apoptosis in the olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) depression rat model. OBX rats exhibited decreased performance in depression-like behavioural tests and showed evidence of increased oxidative stress, decreased synaptophysin expression, and hippocampal apoptosis. Treatment with baicalin (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly reversed all of these changes. Baicalin modulated the levels or activity of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase and prevented apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 expression, effectively suppressing caspase-mediated apoptosis signalling cascades. Our results demonstrate that baicalin has potent antidepressant activity, likely because of its ability to suppress apoptosis.

Baicalin reverse AMPA receptor expression and neuron apoptosis in chronic unpredictable mild stress rats.

Changes of a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor expression could impacts the viability of neurons and brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the key brain structures in the pathophysiology of depressive disorder. In the present study, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) degraded performance decreased AMPA receptor expression and increased neuron apoptosis. Treatment with baicalin (20, 40mg/kg) significantly reversed these changes. This study demonstrates that baicalin has potent antidepressant effect, likely through up-regulated the expression of AMPA receptor and suppression neuron apoptosis in CUMS-treated rats.

Preparation of SO4(2-)/TiO2-La2O3 solid superacid and its catalytic activities in acetalation and ketalation.

SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2)-La(2)O(3), a novel solid superacid, was prepared and its catalytic activities at different synthetic conditions are discussed with esterification of n-butanoic acid and n-butyl alcohol as probing reaction. The optimum conditions have also been found, mole ratio of n(La(3+)):n(Ti(4+)) is 1:34, the soaked consistency of H(2)SO(4) is 0.8 mol/L, the soaked time of H(2)SO(4) is 24 h, the calcining temperature is 480 degrees C, the calcining time is 3 h. Then it was applied in the catalytic synthesis of ten important ketals and acetals as catalyst and revealed high catalytic activity. Under these conditions on which the molar ratio of aldehyde/ketone to glycol is 1:1.5, the mass ratio of the catalyst used in the reactants is 0.5%, and the reaction time is 1.0 h, the yields of ketals and acetals can reach 41.4%-95.8%.

Synthesis of acetals and ketals catalyzed by tungstosilicic acid supported on active carbon.

Catalytic activity of activated carbon supported tungstosilicic acid in synthesizing 2-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl- 1,3-dioxolane, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,3-dioxolane, cyclohexanone ethylene ketal, cyclohexanone 1,2-propa- nediol ketal, butanone ethylene ketal, butanone 1,2-propanediol ketal, 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane, 2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane was reported. It has been demonstrated that activated carbon supported tungstosilicic acid is an excellent catalyst. Various factors involved in these reactions were investigated. The optimum conditions found were: molar ratio of aldehyde/ketone to glycol is 1/1.5, mass ratio of the catalyst used to the reactants is 1.0%, and reaction time is 1.0 h. Under these conditions, the yield of 2-methyl-2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,3-dioxolane is 61.5%, of 2,4-dimethyl- 2-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1,3-dioxolane is 69.1%, of cyclohexanone ethylene ketal is 74.6%, of cyclohexanone 1,2-propanediol ketal is 80.1%, of butanone ethylene ketal is 69.5%, of butanone 1,2-propanediol ketal is 78.5%, of 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane is 56.7%, of 4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane is 86.2%, of 2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane is 87.5%, of 4-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane is 87.9%.

Antidepressant-like effects of salidroside on olfactory bulbectomy-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and hyperactivity of HPA axis in rats.

Salidroside (SA) is the primary bioactive marker compound in the standardized extracts from Rhodiola rosea. Although it has potential antidepressant activity in a rat behavioral despair model, the mechanisms of antidepressant effect for SA remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant effects of SA and to discuss the potential mechanisms in olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rats. SA of 20, 40 mg/kg (p.o.) for 2 weeks notably alleviated OBX-induced hyperactivity in open field test, decreased immobility time in TST and FST. Chronic treatment with SA could remarkably reduce TNF-α and IL-1ß levels in hippocampus. Western blot showed that SA could markedly increase glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus. Besides, SA could also attenuate corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) expression in hypothalamus, as well as reducing significantly the levels of serum corticosterone. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that OBX rats treated with SA could significantly improve the depressive-like behaviors. The antidepressant mechanisms of SA might be associated with its anti-inflammatory effects and the regulation of HPA axis activity. Reversal of abnormalities of GR may be partly responsible for those effects. These findings suggested that SA might become a beneficial agent to prevent and treat the depression.