Effects of herbal pair of Semen ziziphi spinosae and Albizia julibrissin flower on learning and memory ability and cellular signal transduction pathway of BDNF-MEK-ERK-CREB in depression model rats

Objective: To observe the effects of herbal pair of Semen ziziphi spinosae(SZS) and Albizia julibrissin flower(AJF) on learning and memory ability and signal transduction pathway of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)-mitogen extracellular kinase(MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase(ERK)-cyclicamp response element binding protein(CREB) in depression model rats,and to explore the antidepressant mechanism of herbal pair of SZS and AJF. Methods: The male SD rats were divided into Control group,CUMS group,SZS + AJF group,Venlafaxine group and PD group by random number table. The model of depressive rats was established by using isolated and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS),and the learning and memory abilities at different time in each group were evaluated by Morris water maze test,and the serum BDNF content were measured by ELISA,and the expression of CREB mRNA and BDNF mRNA in hippocampus was measured by real-time RT-PCR. The protein expression of ERK,p-ERK,p-RSK and p-CREB in hippocampus were determined by Western Blot. Results: Compared with the Control group,the learning and memory abilities of CUMS rats decreased. There was statistical significance from the 14 th day(P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01),the serum BDNF content decreased(P < 0. 01),and the expressions of CREB mRNA,BDNF mRNA and ERK,p-ERK,p-RSK,p-CREB protein in hippocampus decreased(P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01). Compared with CUMS group,the learning and memory abilities of rats in SZS + AJF group,Venlafaxine group and PD group were improved. There was statistical significance from the 14 th day(P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01),the serum BDNF content was increased(P < 0. 05),and the expressions of CREB mRNA,BDNF mRNA and ERK,p-ERK,p-RSK,p-CREB in hippocampus were increased(P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01). Compared with SZS + AJF group,the learning and memory abilities of rats in PD group decreased. There was statistical significance on the 21 st day(P < 0. 05),the serum BDNF content decreased(P < 0. 05),and the expressions of CREB mRNA,BDNF mRNA and ERK,p-ERK,p-RSK,p-CREB protein in hippocampus decreased(P < 0. 05). Conclusion: The herbal pair of SZS and AJF can improve the learning and memory ability of depression model rats,and has antidepressant effect. Its mechanism may be related to the enhancement of the expression of key factors in BDNF-MEK-ERK-CREB signal transduction pathway in depression model rats.