Studies on the anxiolytic effects of Coptis rhizome in Rodents

• Main Authors: Chiung-Fang Chen, 陳瓊芳
• Other Authors: 彭文煌
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2000
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/04906376420566636871

碩士 === 中國醫藥學院 === 中國藥學研究所 === 88 === ABSTRACT The present study was attempted to investigate the anxiolytic effects of the Methanol extract of Coptis rhizome (CRMEOH) or berberine (BER) by means of the black and white test and the elevated plus-maze. We further demonstrated the anxiolytic mechanism of BER by combining with DIZ, serotonergic agonists or antagonists,and measuring the concentrations of monoamines and their metabolites in the brain stem. In the black and white test, CRMEOH or BER(0.1 and 0.5 g/kg, p.o.) increased the time spent in the white compartment and total change between two compartment, and decreased the time spent in the black compartment. CRMEOH or BER(0.1 and 0.5 g/kg, p.o.) increased the arm entries and the time spent on the open arms, and decreased the arm entries and the time spent on the closed arms in the elevated plus-maze. On the other hand, CRMEOH(0.5 g/kg, p.o.) or BER(0.5 g/kg, p.o.) decreased the horizontal activity and prolonged the hexobarbital-induced sleeping times. BER at 0.1,0.5 g/kg decreased the concentrations of NE, DA, 5-HT and increased the concentrations of VMA, HVA, 5-HIAA in the brain stem. BER also attenuated the anxiogenic effect of DOI, 8-OH DPAT and WAY-100635 and enhanced the anxiolytic effect of BUS, p-MPPI, and RIT in the elevated plus-maze. From these results, both CRMEOH and BER at 0.1g/kg had the anxiolytic effect in the black and white test and the elevated plus-maze in rodents. The anxiolytic mechanisms of BER might be due to decrease the concentration of 5-HT in the brain stem via activating somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors and inhibiting postsynaptic 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors.