“佛手柑–缬草–肉桂”复方精油对CUMS小鼠的抗抑郁作用

“Bergamot-Valerian-Cinnamon” Antidepressant Effect of Compound Essential Oils on CUMS Mice

摘要: 目的：通过多种数据库对精油进行筛选得到复方精油的配方，并采用孤养结合慢性不可预见性应激法(CUMS)小鼠模型评价复方精油对抑郁样行为、神经生化指标和脑组织病理变化的影响，探讨其抗抑郁作用。方法：通过治疗目标数据库(TTD)等数据库筛选出与抑郁相关的靶点，结合查阅文献确定几种挥发油含量高且抗抑郁效果好的药用植物进行组配，得到三种单方精油。通过查阅中药古籍并结合文献来确定组方中单方精油的比例以及复方精油的配方。采用孤养结合CUMS对实验动物建立抑郁模型：造模周期为56 d，给药21 d (给药期间模型组继续应激)，以7 d为时间节点，监测小鼠造模和给药期间的体重变化；对小鼠进行多种行为学实验判定复方精油对小鼠的影响；采用ELISA试剂盒测定小鼠血清皮质酮(CORT)、海马组织的5-羟色胺(5-HT)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)浓度等抑郁相关指标；利用尼氏染色法对小鼠海马组织CA₃区进行染色，在显微镜下观察神经元的形态变化并进行病理情况评分。结果：随着应激过程的推进，小鼠体重增长速度逐渐变慢，糖水偏好度显著降低(p < 0.05)；给药后小鼠体重均有回升，体重增长速度显著增加。复方精油能缓解抑郁小鼠在OFT、FST和TST中的抑郁样行为(p < 0.05)；降低CORT水平、升高5-HT以及BDNF水平(p < 0.05)；修复海马CA₃区的病理损伤状态。结论：该复方精油具有良好的抗抑郁作用。

Abstract: Objective: In this paper, the essential oil was screened by a variety of databases to obtain the formula of compound essential oils. The effects of compound essential oils on depression-like behavior, neurobiochemical indexes, and pathological changes of brain tissue were evaluated by isolated rearing combined with chronic unpredictable stress (CUMS) mouse model, and their antidepressant effect was discussed. Methods: Through the treatment target database (TTD) and other databases, the targets related to depression were screened out. Combined with the literature, several medicinal plants with high volatile oil content and good antidepressant effect were determined to obtain three kinds of unilateral essential oils. By consulting the ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine and combining with the literature, the proportion of unilateral essential oil and the formula of compound essential oils in the prescription were determined. The depression model of experimental animals was established by solitary rearing combined with CUMS: the modeling period was 56 days, and the drug was administered for 21 days (the model group continued to be stressed during the administration). The body weight changes of mice during modeling and administration were monitored over 7 days as the time node. A variety of behavioral experiments were performed on mice to determine the effect of compound essential oils on mice. The concentrations of depression-related indicators such as corticosterone (CORT) in mouse serum, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in hippocampal tissue, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured using ELISA kits. The CA₃ region of the mouse hippocampus was stained using the Nissl staining method, and the morphological changes of neurons and the pathological conditions were observed under a microscope. Results: As the stress process progressed, the growth rate of mouse body weight gradually slowed down, and the sugar water preference decreased significantly (p < 0.05). After administration, the body weight of mice all recovered, and the growth rate significantly increased. The compound essential oils could alleviate the depressive-like behaviors of depressed mice in OFT, FST, and TST (p < 0.05); reduce CORT levels, increase 5-HT and BDNF levels (p < 0.05); and repair the pathological damage state of the hippocampal CA₃ region. Conclusion: This compound of essential oils has a good antidepressant effect.