Lilii bulbus, a traditionally used tranquilizing and Yin-nourishing herb, ameliorates the menopause-like behavior in ovariectomized mice: Involvement in peripheric and neural mechanisms

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Xi-Dan Zhou, Dong-Dong Shi and Zhang-Jin Zhang

The University of Hong Kong, China

: J Spine Neurosurg

Abstract

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Lilii bulbus is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that is often used to treat menopause-associated symptoms, including anxiousness, dysphoria, and absent-mindedness. The purpose of the present study was to identify anxiolytic, antidepressant, and cognition-improving effects of the aqueous extract of Lilii bulbus (LBE) in a menopausal ovariectomized mouse model. The animal model was established by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) combined with two-week chronic unpredictable mild stress. The ovariectomized C57BL/6N mice were given 1.8g/kg/day of LBE by gastrogavage for 5 weeks. Estradiol (0.3mg/kg/ day) served positive control. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated using the open field test and elevated plus maze test. Depression-like behavior was assessed using sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and tail suspension test. Morris water maze was used to test the spatial working memory. Both LBE and estradiol significantly attenuated the anxiety- and depression-like behavior and ameliorated cognitive deficits. Both restored the levels of neurotransmitters in OVX mice brain, which might be associated with their upregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase and serotonin transporter during the neurotransmitter metabolism. Moreover, both promoted estrogen receptor (ER) expression in brain and uterus. These results indicated that the psychotropic effects are possibly associated with the modulation of neurotransmitter metabolism and ER expression.

Biography

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Xi-Dan Zhou received her Bachelor's degree from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Master's degree from Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. She has been interested in Chinese herbs, and she is pursuing her PhD degree in School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong. Her current research project focuses on seeking novel and effective therapeutic strategies from traditional Chinese medicine formula against major psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression and cognitive deficit.

E-mail: zxd2015@hku.hk