Anxiolytic action of pterostilbene: involvement of hippocampal ERK phosphorylation. Planta Med 2013 Jun;79(9):723-30
Date
05/17/2013Pubmed ID
23677525DOI
10.1055/s-0032-1328553Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84879223370 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 22 CitationsAbstract
Pterostilbene, a natural analog of resveratrol, has diverse health-beneficial properties. However, the neurological activities of this compound are largely unexplored. Here, we report that pterostilbene shows anxiolytic-like actions by down-regulating phosphorylated levels of extracellular regulated kinases in the hippocampus of mice. Adult male mice administered pterostilbene (1-10 mg/kg, p. o.) were subjected to the elevated plus maze test. Pterostilbene manifested anxiolytic activity at 1 and 2 mg/kg doses, demonstrated by increases in % permanence time and number of open arm entries. The locomotor activity of the animals was unaffected at all doses. Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in both extracellular regulated kinase 1 and extracellular regulated kinase 2 phosphorylation in hippocampal homogenates from mice treated with 1 and 2 mg/kg pterostilbene. Moreover, pterostilbene was detected in the plasma and brains of mice following single oral administration. Anxiolytic activity was not observed at the higher doses (5 and 10 mg/kg). However, no impairment of motor function was observed either, suggesting a favorable safety index for the compound. These results suggest that pterostilbene has the potential for therapeutic drug development for anxiety disorders.
Author List
Al Rahim M, Rimando AM, Silistreli K, El-Alfy ATAuthor
Abir El-Alfy PhD Assistant Dean, Professor in the School of Pharmacy Administration department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Administration, OralAnimals
Anti-Anxiety Agents
Brain
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Hippocampus
Male
Mice
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
Motor Activity
Phosphorylation
Stilbenes
