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Attenuation of anxiety-like behavior by Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench methanolic extract through up-regulation of ERK signaling pathways in noradrenergic neurons
Since there has been a recent growth in long-term use of alternative medicine, Borgonetti et al. (2020) inspected Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench methanolic extract (HSE) as a potential treatment for anxiety- and depression-related symptoms. HSE has shown its ability to inhibit monoamine oxidases (MAOs), which is how a class of existing antidepressants (called MAO Inhibitors) act. A selection of tests indicated that HSE reduces anxiety-like (but not depressive-like symptoms) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, HSE did not affect pain modulation in the mice, demonstrating its selectivity for reducing anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, sedation, impaired motor coordination or memory was not detected after taking active doses of HSE. Furthermore, other effects of anxiety (reduction in the phosphorylation of ERK44/42, disruption of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and cyclic AMP response element binding) were reversed by HSE. This suggests that HSE may protect against anxiety-like behavior. To conclude, the intake of HSE through the oral route may be a potentially effective therapy for the management of anxiety disorders. [NPID: BDNF, herbs, helichrysum, anxiety, herbal, hippocampus, medicinal, noradrenergic neurons]
Year: 2020
