Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://localhost:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/16258
Title: St. John’s Wort increases brain seotonin synthesis by inhibiting hepatic tryptophan 2, 3 dioxygenase activity and its gene expression in stressed rats
Authors: Samina Bano
Iffat Ara
Kausar Saboohi
Tariq Moattar
Chaoudhry, Bushra
Keywords: Tryptophan 2
3 - dioxygenase
serotonin
tryptophan metabolism
TDO mRNA expression
St. John’s Wort
Issue Date: 5-Sep-2014
Publisher: Karachi: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi
Citation: St. John’s Wort increases brain seotonin synthesis by inhibiting hepatic tryptophan 2, 3 dioxygenase activity and its gene expression in stressed rats
Abstract: We aimed to investigate the effects of herbal St. John’s Wort (SJW) on transcriptional regulation of hepatic tryptophan 2, 3 - dioxygenase (TDO) enzyme activity and brain regional serotonin (5-HT) levels in rats exposed to forced swim test (FST). TDO mRNA expression was quantified using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-PCR) reaction and brain regional indoleamines were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detector. Behavioral analysis shows significant reduction in immobility time in SJW (500mg/kg/ml) administered rats. It was found that pretreatment of SJW to rats did not prevent stress-induced elevation in plasma corticosterone levels however it increases serotonin synthesis by virtue of inhibiting hepatic TDO enzyme activity and its gene expression, ascertaining the notion that there exists an inverse relationship between hepatic TDO enzyme activity and brain 5-HT. The drug also decreases serotonin turnover in all the brain areas (hypothalamus, hippocampus amygdala) in stressed rats endorsing its monoamine oxidase inhibition property. Inhibition of TDO enzyme activity and its gene expression by the drug provides new insights for the development of therapeutic interventions for stress elated mental illnesses.
URI: http://142.54.178.187:9060/xmlui/handle/123456789/16258
ISSN: 1011-601X
Appears in Collections:Issue No.5 (Special)

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