Antidepressant-like activity of icariin mediated by group I mGluRs in prenatally stressed offspring

Publication date: Available online 7 April 2017
Source:Brain and Development
Author(s): Xiaoxiao Zhang, Hongli Sun, Qian Su, Tianwei Lin, Huiping Zhang, Junli Zhang, Shaokang Dang, Zhongliang Zhu
ObjectiveThe present study was performed to identify antidepressant-like activity of icariin in prenatally stressed male rats.MethodsThe effects of icariin on PRS-induced depression were examined using sucrose preference test (SPT) and forced swimming test (FST) in male offspring, and measuring protein and mRNA expressions of group I mGluRs receptors and EAAT2 via western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR assays.ResultsThe results indicated that prenatal restraint stress (PRS) resulted in several behavioral anomalies. Treatment with icariin relieved the elevated protein and mRNA levels of group I mGluR receptors as well as the diminished protein and mRNA levels of EAAT2 in the PRS male offspring.ConclusionsCollectivity, the data support that icariin ameliorates PRS-induced depressive-like behavior via regulating expression of mGluR1, mGluR5 and EAAT2 in the hippocampus.



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