Δ3,2-Hydroxybakuchiol Attenuates Depression in Multiple Rodent Models Possibly by Inhibition of Monoamine Transporters in Brain

Abstract EN

Δ3,2-Hydroxybakuchiol is isolated from Psoralea corylifolia (L.), which has therapeutic applications in traditional Chinese medicine.

Our previous studies have showed that Δ3,2-hydroxybakuchiol inhibited the decreased activity of reserpinized mice, suggestive of its antidepressive potential.

In this study, we explored the antidepressant profile of Δ3,2-hydroxybakuchiol in various rodent models and its possible monoamine-modulating mechanism.

Δ3,2-Hydroxybakuchiol significantly reduced immobility time of mice in forced swim test and tail suspension test.

Δ3,2-Hydroxybakuchiol also significantly increased sucrose consumption in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model.

Furthermore, isotope uptake study showed that Δ3,2-hydroxybakuchiol inhibited the activity of human dopamine transporter (DAT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) in transporter-overexpressing pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells with IC50 values similar to the potency of bupropion.

Microdialysis showed that Δ3,2-hydroxybakuchiol increased dopamine and norepinephrine concentration in rat striatum.

In summary, Δ3,2-hydroxybakuchiol exerts antidepressant effects on various types of depression models through a possible mechanism of monoamine transporter inhibition.