柴胡皂苷对抑郁模型大鼠行为及海马Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白表达的影响

Effects of saikosaponina on the behaviors and expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in hippocampus of rats with depression

目的探讨柴胡皂苷对抑郁模型大鼠行为学及海马Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白表达的影响。方法 60只2～3月龄SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、氟西汀组和柴胡皂苷组,每组15只。采用慢性轻度不可预见性应激刺激（CUMS）结合孤养方式复制大鼠抑郁模型。从造模第2天开始,氟西汀组（1.2 mg/kg）及柴胡皂苷组（25 mg/kg）进行灌胃给药,每日1次。于实验21 d,分别进行敞箱实验及糖水消耗量实验检测大鼠行为学改变;采用免疫组化法及RT-PCR法检测大鼠海马区Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白及基因的表达水平。结果造模21 d后,与对照组相比,模型组大鼠行为学指标明显降低（P〈0.05）;与模型组比较,氟西汀组与柴胡皂苷组大鼠行为学指标明显改善（P〈0.05）;免疫组化及PCR检测结果显示,海马区Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白及基因表达,模型组与对照组比较表达明显增强（P〈0.05）,氟西汀组及柴胡皂苷组与模型组比较表达明显降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论柴胡皂苷可有效改善大鼠抑郁样行为,其机制可能与抑制海马区Caspase-3、Caspase-9蛋白表达有关。

Objective To investigate the effects of saikosaponina on the behaviors and expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in hippocampus of rats with depression. Methods SD rats（ 2-3 months old,n= 60） were randomly divided into control group,model group,saikosaponina group,and fluoxetine group（ n = 15 in each group）. The model of depression was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress（ CUMS） combined with isolated rearing. The fluoxetine group and saikosaponina group were given intragastric administration of fluoxetine at 1. 2 mg / Kg or saikosaponina at 25 mg / Kg once daily from the second day of the establishment of the model. The sucrose consumption experiment and open field test were carried out to assess rat ethological changes on the 21 st day. The protein and mRNA expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in rat hippocampus were detected by using immunohistochemical technique and RT-PCR. Results Ethological parameters decreased significantly in model group（ P〈0. 05） at Day 21 after the establishment of the model,compared with control group. Compared with model group,they were significantly improved in fluoxetine and saikosaponina group（ P〈0. 05）. The results of immunohistochemistry and PCR test showed that the expressions of Caspase-3,Caspase-9 protein,and mRNA increased in model group compared with control group（ P〈0. 05）,and decreased in fluoxetine group and saikosaponina group（ P〈0. 05）. Conclusion Saikosaponina can effectively relieve the symptoms of depression in rats,and its mechanism may be related to the decrease of the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in hippocampus.