Phytotherapy research : PTR
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Depression is partially caused by inflammation in central nervous system. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of phenol glycosides (PG) from Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (Oleaceae) on neuroinflammation and depressive-like behavior in mice hypothalamus as well as the molecular mechanism. Mice were administered with PG extract for 2 weeks prior to treatment with LPS. ⋯ This extract down-regulated expression of TLR4, MyD88, NLRP3, renin and angiotensin II and decreased proportional area of Iba-1+ microglias in hypothalamus. Pre-treatment with PG extract inhibited LPS-triggered activation of CaSR/Gα11 signaling, stimulated 1-OHase expression in hypothalamus, and enhanced circulating 1,25(OH)2 D3 level. Overall, pre-treatment with PG extract ameliorated LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors by repressing neuroinflammation in mice hypothalamus which was attributed to its suppression on activation of microglia and production of inflammatory cytokines via acting on TLR4 pathway, CaSR and RAS cascade associated with improving vitamin D metabolism.