Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Asian Fawn Lily -Erythronium japonicum- Extract on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice

Authors
DW Lim, J Park, D Han, et al

Lab
Division of Food Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Korea

Journal
Nutrients

Abstract
Neuroinflammation is associated with an increased risk of depression. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment is known to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and a depressive-like phenotype in mice. Although Erythronium japonicum exhibits various health benefits, the role of E. japonicum extract (EJE) in inflammation-associated depression is unknown. This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of EJE on LPS-induced depressive symptoms in mice using the open field test (OFT), passive avoidance test (PAT), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swim test (FST). LPS-treated mice had significantly increased immobility time in the TST and FST, decreased step-through latency time in the PAT, and decreased locomotor activity in the OFT. However, administration of 100 and 300 mg/kg of EJE significantly improved these depressive-like behaviors. EJE also prevented the increase in mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and the decrease in IL-10 levels by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) subunit p65 phosphorylation. Additionally, LPS-treated mice showed markedly decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PIK) and Akt, while EJE treatment significantly increased these levels in the hippocampus. These results suggest that EJE ameliorated LPS-induced depressive-like behavior by reducing LPS-induced neuroinflammation and activating the BDNF-PI3K/Akt pathway

BIOSEB Instruments Used:
Tail Suspension Test - Wireless (BIO-TST5)