Ganoderma Lucidum Ameliorated Depression-Like Behavior in an Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Rat Model Via Regulation of Monoamines

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study investigated antidepressant-like effect of Gl-E on rats exposed to UCMS and elucidated its potential mechanism of antidepressant action of Gl-E by detecting the levels of monoamines and their metabolites in the rats’ brains. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to UCMS and treated with extract of G. lucidum (Gl-E) and fluoxetine (FLU) for 28 consecutive days. The sucrose preference test (SPT) and open field test (OFT) were applied to assess the antidepressant effects. The levels of monoamines including serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) and their metabolites in the brain of rats were measured by HPLC. Results The results revealed that 4 weeks of UCMS exposure induced significant depression-like behavior, with low 5-HT, NE and DA levels in the rats’ brains. The treatment of Gl-E (0.1 and 0.5 g/kg) or FLU significantly alleviated the behavior deficiency and body weight reduction in UCMS rats. In addition, the levels of 5-HT, NE and DA in the brain of UCMS rats were increased after the Gl-E treatment. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that Gl-E could ameliorate depression-like behaviors in UCMS rats. Monoamines played an important role in the antidepressant action of Gl-E.