Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2007):

Serotonergic mediation effects of St John's wort in rats subjected to swim stress.

Full Abstract

Present study shows the effects of St John's Wort (SJW) (20 mg/kg) on swim stress induced changes in tryptophan (TRP) metabolism and disposition in rats. The results show that after forced swim test (FST) hepatic tryptophan pyrrolase (holo and total) activities were significantly decreased (P<0.001). Liver TRP was increased (P<0.001) while serum TRP was decreased (P<0.01). Brain TRP, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, Serotonin) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations were increased (P<0.001), similarly immobility time during swim test was also increased. SJW pretreated FS group of rats showed reduced holo enzyme activity (P<0.001) while increase in total and apo enzyme activities (P<0.001). There was significant decrease in liver TRP (P<0.01), serum TRP (P<0.05), brain TRP (P<0.001), 5-HT (P<0.001) and 5-HIAA (P<0.001) concentrations with reduction in immobility time during swim test when compared with saline injected FS group. SJW injected group but when compared with untreated controls showed significant increase in total and apo enzyme activities (P<0.001) while holo enzyme activity was decreased (P<0.001), serum TRP, brain TRP and 5-HIAA levels were significantly decreased (P<0.001). Changes in 5-HT concentrations were not significant. It is concluded that SJW treatment alter stress induced augmented 5-HT levels by decreasing precursor availability to the brain and that serotonergic system is involve in the mechanism of action of the drug.

Author information

Author/s: Bano, Samina (S); Dawood, Shazia (S);

Affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemistry and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan. saminbpk(-atsign-)yahoo.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (Pak J Pharm Sci), published in Pakistan. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jan; vol 21 (issue 1) : pp 63-9

Dates: Created 2008/01/01; Completed 2008/04/03;

PMID: 18166522, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; therapeutic use Behavior, Animal - drug effects Brain - drug effects; metabolism Depression - drug therapy Disease Models, Animal Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid - metabolism Hypericum - chemistry Injections, Intraperitoneal Male

Male Motor Activity - drug effects Plant Extracts - pharmacology; therapeutic use Rats Rats, Wistar Serotonin - metabolism Stress, Psychological - drug therapy; psychology Swimming Tryptophan - metabolism Tryptophan Oxygenase - analysis

Associated Chemicals: Antidepressive Agents (0) ; Plant Extracts (0) ; Serotonin (50-67-9) ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (54-16-0) ; Tryptophan (73-22-3) ; Tryptophan Oxygenase (EC 1.13.11.11)

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