Abstract
Objective: This study was performed to investigate the anti-depressant effect of Bupleurum falcat urn L in rat model of depression(FST model; forced swimming test model). Method: we checked catecholamines of rat brain by using WLC to verify the anti-depressant effect of Bupleurum falcatum L. and to know the pharmacological mechanism of Bupleurum falcatum L. briefly. Catecholamines include dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine and have very important function for antidepressant. To perform our experiment, we dissected rat brain to 4 parts(cerebral cortex, striatum, hypothalamus, hippocampus) and checked catecholamines-dopamine, norepinephrine, DOPAC (3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid), HVA (homovanillic acid)- through HPLC. The rats were divided into 3 groups-normal saline group, imipramine group and Bupleurum falcatum L group) Result: The results were as follows: 1. In cerebral cortex, Bupleurum falcatum L. increased dopamine and DOPAC significantly. 2. In striatum, Bupleurum falcatum L. increased norepinephrine, dopamine and HVA significantly. 3. In hypothalamus, Bupleurum falcatum L. increased DOPAC and HVA significantly. 4. In hippocampus, Bupleurum falcatum L increased no catecholamine. Conclusion: From above results, we knew that he anti-depressant effect of Bupleurum falcat um L has an anti-depressant effect, but it is thought that more precise researches is needed.