Berberine Elicits Antidepressant-like Effectin The Ovariectomized Mice

It has been reported that berberine produces antidepressant-like effect. However there is little known whether berberine produces antidepressant-like effect in the ovariectomy mice. To investigate antidepressant-like effect of the berberine in the ovariectomy mice, we performed behavior test-forced swim test to measure immobility time and open field test to confirm locomotor activity. In addition for molecular mechanism of the berberine, we performed western blotting for BDNF-CREB-e EF2 pathway. Finally, we did the immunohistochemistry for c-Fos. In the forced swim test, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg berberine dose-dependently decreased immobility time, 10.0 mg/kg berberine produced significant effect and ketanserine reversed decreasing effect of the immobility time produced by berberine in the forced swim test. In addition, western blotting study indicated that BDNF-e EF2 in the hippocampus, and p CREB-CREB in the frontal cortex was significantly increased, wherease 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserine reversed its effects. Furthermore, immunohistochemical study indicated that berberine increased ovariectomy-induced decreasing effect of the c-Fos expression. Ketanserine also antagonized effect of the berberine on the c-Fos expression. Together, these findings suggest that berberine elicits antidepressant-like effect in the ovariectomy mice, antidepressant-like effect of the berberine related to 5-HT2 receptor activation and modulation of BDNF-CREB-e EF2 pathway.