Anxiolytic-like effects of sanjoinine A isolated from Zizyphi spinosi semen: Involvement of GABA receptors

This experiment was performed to investigate the anxiolytic-like effects of sanjoinine A isolated from Zizyphi spinosi semen (Zizyphus jujube Mill var. spinosa, Rhamnaceae) by using the experimental paradigms of anxiety in mice. Sanjoinine A (1.0 and 2.0mg/kg, p.o.) increased the percentage of time spent on the open arms and the number of open arms entries in the elevated plus-maze test, increased the number of head dips in the hole-board test and increased the percentage of center zone spent time and center zone locomotor distance in the open-filed box. However, sanjoinine A has no effect on decreasing the locomotor activity, while diazepam significantly decreased locomotor activity. Sanjoinine A did not influence the grip force in the grip strength meter test, either. From the molecular experiments, sanjoinine A increased chloride influx in cultured cerebellar granule cells. In addition, α-, γ-subunits of GABA_A/receptors and glutamic acid decarboxylase were over-expressed by sanjoinine A in cultured cerebellar granule cells. It is concluded that sanjoinine A might have anxiolytic-like effects, and these effects might be related to the GABA_A/benzodiazepine-chloride receptors complex.

Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Government (MOEHRD) (The Regional Research University Program/Center for Healthcare Technology Development).