Effects of Herbal Supplements on PTSD-Induced Changes in Rat Behavior & Brain Gene Expression.

摘要

Purpose: This research proposal was to investigate specific compounds, tetrahydropalmatine (THP) and L-Theanine (L-Th), on neurobehavioral effects and specific gene expression in a PTSD rodent model. The aims were to determine the effects of THP and L-Th on anxiety, locomotion, memory, hyperarousal, and gene expression in the brain in the rodent PTSD model. Design: A prospective experimental between groups design was used. Methods: Eighty rats were equally divided into two groups, non-stressed and PTSD- stressed. They were then subdivided into four groups: control, THP or L-Th, midazolam, or THP or L-Th and midazolam. The behavioral component was evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM), acoustic startle reflex (ASR), or Morris water maze (MWM), in a restraint/shock stress model. Sample: Eighty rats were used for each herbal supplement (THP or L-Th) studied. Analysis: Data analysis was performed using two-tailed Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and LSD post-hoc tests. Findings: These studies establish a solid framework for future investigation of PTSD treatments. Data showed that there were significant differences in anxiety between groups in both the THP and L-Th studies.