Evidence of Antidepressive Effects of aWakan-yaku,Hochuekkito, in Depression Model Mice with Learned-Helplessness Behavior

Abstract

Wakan-yaku is a type of Japanese and Sino traditional, systematized medical care that has been practiced for hundreds of years. This medicinal system includes many antidepressive prescriptions. One of the candidates is Hochuekkito, although experimental evidence has not yet been established clearly. To obtain evidence, a depression model of learned-helplessness (LH) mice was used. Based on the score of escape failure, an index of the depression degree, mice with a depressive condition were selected to assess Hochuekkito's effects. This selection was significant and effective in the following two points: evaluation of the drug effect under disease conditions and minimization of the number of animals. Treatment with Hochuekkito (1 and 5 g/kg p.o.; estimated galenical amount) for 14 days significantly decreased the depression index, the number of escape failures, and desipramine (10 mg/kg p.o.) suggesting that Hochuekkito has an antidepressive effect.

Effects of Hochuekkito combined with pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…It was reported that large numbers of patients with COPD had clinically significant levels of depression and/or anxiety ( 28 , 29 ). Tohda and Mingmalairak ( 30 ) reported that TJ-41 had an antidepressive effect in a mouse model of depression with learned helplessness behavior. Further study is needed to clarify the antidepressive effect of TJ-41 in patients with COPD.…”

Mice behavioral phenotype changes after administration of Anani (Symphonia globulifera, clusiaceae), an alternative Latin American and African medicine

“…The introduction of the first reports on the influence of a potential alternative medicine is fundamental to establish good medicine practices. The previous reports relating the influence of alternative medicines over behavior have been done, such as to honey,[ 22 ] to the sino-japanese wakan-yaku,[ 23 ] to uncaria hook[ 24 ] and others. [ 25 26 ] Lupeol, β-amyrin and 3 β-hydroxyglutin-5-ene were previously isolated from S. globulifera ,[ 21 ] and molecules were described to occur in the species for the first time, then.…”

MRI detection of the activated region in the rat brain by Hochuekki-to, a traditional oriental medicine, and the related expression of BNIP-3 mRNA, a candidate of depression-related factor

“…I and co-workers has been reported that HET has antidepressantlike effects in learned helplessness test in mice [1]. We also found that HET is involved serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) function and the mRNA expression [2] as well as antidepressants [2][3][4].…”