Abstract
Objective
To determine the effects of Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium (EHDF) on physical stress, changes in the whole-body cortisol level and behaviour in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Methods
One hundred and seventy-four fish were randomly divided into 4 [adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) challenge test: 4 fish per group] or 6 groups (behavioural test: 10–12 fish per group, whole-body cortisol: 4 fish per group). Net handling stress (NHS) was used to induce physical stress. Fish were treated with vehicle or EHDF (5–20 mg/L) for 6 min before they were exposed to stress. And then, fish were sacrificed for collecting body fluid from whole-body or conducted behavioural tests, including novel tank test and open field test, and were evaluated to observe anxiety-like behaviours and locomotion. In addition, to elucidate the mode of action of the anti-stress effects of EHDF, ACTH (0.2 IU/g, i.p.) challenge test was performed.
Results
The increased anxiety-like behaviours in novel tank test and open field test under stress were prevented by treatment with EHDF at 5–20 mg/L (P <0.05). Moreover, compared with the unstressed group, which was not treated with NHS, the whole-body cortisol level was significantly increased by treatment with NHS (P <0.05). Compared with the NHS-treated stressed control group, pre-treatment with EHDF at concentrations of 5–20 mg/L for 6 min significantly prevented the NHS-increased whole-body cortisol level (<0.05). In addition, ACTH challenge test showed that EHDF completely blocked the effects of ACTH on cortisol secretion (P <0.05).
Conclusion
EHDF may be a good antistress candidate and its mechanism of action may be related to its positive effects on cortisol release.
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Conception and design: Oh J, Kim DH and Lee S. Acquisition of data: Oh J and Kim GW. Analysis and interpretation of data: Kim GY and Jung JW. Drafting the article: Oh J and Lee S. Critically revising the article: Kim GY, Park EJ, Ryu JH and Park SJ. Statistical analysis: Oh J. Study supervision: Lee S.
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Supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE), Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) through the Encouragement Program for the Industries of Economic Cooperation Region
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Oh, J., Kim, D.H., Kim, Gy. et al. Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium Attenuates Physical Stress by Supressing ACTH-Induced Cortisol in Zebrafish. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 26, 130–137 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-019-3204-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-019-3204-6