Yueju volatile oil plays an integral role in the antidepressant effect by up-regulating ERK/AKT-mediated GLT-1 expression to clear glutamate

• Published in: Fitoterapia 2023-09, Vol.169, p.105583, Article 105583
• Main Authors: Zhang, Bike, Su, Dan, Song, Yonggui, Li, Huizhen, Chen, Changlian, Liao, Liangliang, Zhang, Hongjie, Luo, Jian, Yang, Ming, Zhu, Genhua, Ai, Zhifu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Depression; GLT-1; Glu; Volatile oil; Yueju pill
• ISSN: 0367-326X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105583

Phytochemical investigation of the volatile oil of Yueju (YJVO) and its constituent herbs induced the detection of 52 compounds in YJVO, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as well as a small amount of aromatic and aliphatic compounds. 5 of these compounds were found only in the YJVO instead of the volatile oil of its constituent herbs. The anti-depressant effect of YJVO was proved by behavioral tests in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice. An acute oral toxicity evaluation determined the LD50 of YJVO was 5.780 mL/kg. Doppler ultrasound and laser speckle imaging have detected that the YJVO could improve depression-related cerebral blood flow. In addition, related neurotransmitters and proteins were analyzed through targeted metabolomics and immunofluorescence. The potential antidepressant mechanisms of YJVO related to significantly decreasing Glu in CUMS mice by up-regulating the ERK/AKT-mediated expression of GLT-1. [Display omitted] •Yueju volatile oil (YJVO) exhibited significant antidepressant effects in CUMS mice.•The chemical composition of volatile oil from Yueju and its constituent herbs was analyzed and compared by GC–MS.•Completed the evaluation of acute oral toxicity and obtained the LD50 of YJVO.•YJVO up-regulated ERK/AKT-mediated GLT-1 expression to clear glutamate(Glu) in hippocampus.