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Effect of <i>Acorus tatarinowii</i> extract on hyperprolactinemia in rats


Hong Zheng
Fu-tao Zhang
Hong-mei Tang
Jin-zhao Zhao
Xian-jun Meng
Wan-jing Sun

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the mechanism underlying the anti-hyperprolactinemia effect of Acorus tatarinowii extract (ATE) in rats.


Methods: Rats were divided into six groups (n =10 each group), viz, healthy control, untreated hyperprolactinemic rats, hyperprolactinemic rats treated with bromocriptine (0.6 mg/kg), and hyperprolactinemic rats treated with ATE (3.2, 6.4, or 12.8 g/kg). After 30 days, the hypothalamic protein levels of dopamine D2 receptor, protein kinase A (PKA), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were determined.


Results: Dopamine D2 receptor levels were lower in untreated hyperprolactinemic rats than in healthy control (p < 0.01), but this decrease was attenuated by ATE (p < 0.05). Elevated PKA levels in untreated hyperprolactinemic rats (0.78 ± 0.03µg/mL, p < 0.01) were decreased by ATE (3.2 g/kg, 0.51 ± 0.02 µg/mL, p < 0.05; 6.4 g/kg, 0.39 ± 0.03 µg/mL, p < 0.01; 12.8 g/kg, 0.24 ± 0.04 µg/mL, p < 0.01). Similarly, elevated cAMP levels in hyperprolactinemic rats (3.1 ± 0.3 ng/mL) were lowered by ATE (3.2 g/kg, 2.2 ± 0.4 ng/mL, p < 0.05; 6.4 g/kg, 1.8 ± 0.3 ng/mL, p < 0.01; 12.8 g/kg, 1.4 ± 0.3 ng/mL, p < 0.01).


Conclusion: ATE anti-hyperprolactinemia activity is mediated by dopamine D2 receptor signaling via cAMP/PKA pathway.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996