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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Effects of Kaixinjieyu, a Chinese herbal medicine preparation, on neurovascular unit dysfunction in rats with vascular depression

Authors: Juhua Pan, Xiaoming Lei, Jialong Wang, Shijing Huang, Yanyun Wang, Ying Zhang, Wen Chen, Duojiao Li, Jun Zheng, Hanming Cui, Qihua Liu

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Kaixinjieyu (KJ), derived from Kaixin and Sini powder, is an effective Chinese herbal medicine preparation used in the treatment of vascular depression (VD). We hypothesize that broad antidepressant effect of KJ results from the improved neurovascular unit (NVU) function via neurogenesis, permeability of blood–brain barrier (BBB) and balance of the fibrinolytic system.

Methods

A VD model of rat was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress and separation after ligation of the bilateral common carotid arteries. The rats were treated with KJ and fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLU) for 21 days, respectively. The behavior and cerebral perfusion were investigated and then NVU functions including neurogenesis, permeability of BBB and balance of the fibrinolytic system were studied using a number of biomarkers and TUNEL assay.

Results

KJ significantly increased sucrose preference, moving distance, number of rearing and cortical blood flow. NVU functions measured by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) proteins and mRNA, zona occludens protein-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-5 proteins increased significantly, whereas, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) proteins, mRNA and apoptotic rates of neurons decreased significantly with treatment of KJ. FLU has a function similar to KJ in behavior, regulation of BDNF, TrkB, MMP-2, occludin and apoptotic rates of cells.

Conclusions

KJ has function of reducing depression-like behavior and improving cerebral hypoperfusion, which might be mediated by the up-regulation of neurogenesis and tight junction of BBB, and balance of the fibrinolytic system. The results imply that KJ is better than FLU in improving cerebral hypoperfusion and the fibrinolytic system.
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Metadata
Title
Effects of Kaixinjieyu, a Chinese herbal medicine preparation, on neurovascular unit dysfunction in rats with vascular depression
Authors
Juhua Pan
Xiaoming Lei
Jialong Wang
Shijing Huang
Yanyun Wang
Ying Zhang
Wen Chen
Duojiao Li
Jun Zheng
Hanming Cui
Qihua Liu
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0808-z

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