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Involvement of mTOR‐related signaling in antidepressant effects of Sophoraflavanone G on chronically stressed mice
Author(s) -
Wang Hanqing,
Tong Yue,
Xiao Dong,
Xia Baomei
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.6675
Subject(s) - antidepressant , pi3k/akt/mtor pathway , pharmacology , signal transduction , medicine , traditional medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , hippocampus
SophoraflavanoneG (SG), an important prenylated flavonoid isolated from Sophoraalopecuroides .L, is effective for many illnesses. The present study was designed to investigate whether the compound could reverse depressive‐like symptoms and investigate its possible mechanisms. Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) mice were treated with fluoxetine and SG. The immobility time in forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) were recorded. The levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters in the hippocampus were evaluated. Furthermore, the protein expressions of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, p70S6K, BDNF, and Trkb in hippocampus were detected. Rapamycin, the selective mTOR inhibitor, was used to estimate the potential mechanism. As a result, after 7 days of SG treatment, the immobility time in FST and TST was declined obviously. The levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α in the hippocampus were significantly reduced, and the quantity of 5‐HT and NE was raised considerably in SG‐treated group compared with the CUMS‐exposed group. Additionally, SG could up‐regulate the expressions of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, 70S6K, BDNF, and Trkb. The blockade of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling blunted the antidepressant effect and reversed the up‐regulation of BDNF expression caused by SG. These findings suggested that SG treatment alleviated depressive‐like symptoms via mTOR‐mediated BDNF/Trkb signaling.