Milk Collected at Night Induces Sedative and Anxiolytic-Like Effects and Augments Pentobarbital-Induced Sleeping Behavior in Mice

Irene Joy I. dela Peña,홍은영,DELAPENAJUNEBRYAN,김희진,Chrislean Jun Botanas,홍예슬,황예슬,문병석,정재훈 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.11

Milk has long been known and used to promote sleep. The sleep-promoting effect of milk has been attributed to its psychological associations (i.e., the memory of a mother giving milk at bedtime) and its rich store of sleep-promoting constituents (e.g., tryptophan). Studies have shown that milk harvested at night (Night milk) contains exceptionally high amounts of tryptophan and melatonin. In the present study, we evaluated the psychopharmacological properties of Night milk, particularly its probable sleep-promoting/enhancing, and anxiolytic effects. Night milk was orally administered to ICR mice at various concentrations (100, 200, or 300mg/kg). An hour after administration, assessment of its sedative (open-field and rotarod tests) and sedative sleep-potentiating effects (pentobarbital-induced sleeping test) was conducted. For comparison, the effects of Day milk (daytime milking) were also assessed. In addition, the effects of Night milk on anxiety behavior (elevated plus maze [EPM] test) and electroencephalographic (EEG) waves were evaluated. Night milk-treated animals exhibited decreased spontaneous locomotion (open-field test) and impaired motor balance and coordination (rotarod test). Furthermore, Night milk shortened the sleep onset and prolonged the sleep duration induced by pentobarbital sodium. These effects were comparable to that of diazepam. In addition, Night milk significantly increased the percentage of time spent and entries into the open arms of the EPM, indicating that it also has anxiolytic effects. No significant changes in EEG waves were observed. Altogether, these findings suggest that Night milk is a promising natural aid for sleep- and anxiety-related disturbances.

The psychopharmacological activities of Vietnamese ginseng in mice: characterization of its psychomotor, sedativeehypnotic, antistress, anxiolytic, and cognitive effects

Irene Joy I. dela Peña,김희진,Chrislean Jun Botanas,June Bryan de la Peña,Thi Hong Van Le,Minh Duc Nguyen,박정힐,정재훈 고려인삼학회 2017 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.41 No.2

Background: Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. or Vietnamese ginseng (VG) is a recently discovered ginseng species. Studies on its chemical constituents have shown that VG is remarkably rich in ginseng saponins, particularly ocotillol saponins. However, the psychopharmacological effects of VG have not been characterized. Thus, in the present study we screened the psychopharmacological activities of VG in mice. Methods: VG extract (VGE) was orally administered to mice at various dosages to evaluate its psychomotor (open-field and rota-rod tests), sedativeehypnotic (pentobarbital-induced sleeping test), antistress (cold swimming test), anxiolytic (elevated plus-maze test), and cognitive (Y-maze and passiveavoidance tests) effects. Results: VGE treatment increased the spontaneous locomotor activity, enhanced the endurance to stress, reduced the anxiety-like behavior, and ameliorated the scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. In addition, VGE treatment did not alter the motor balance and coordination of mice and did not potentiate pentobarbital-induced sleep, indicating that VGE has no sedative-hypnotic effects. The effects of VGE were comparable to those of the Korean Red Ginseng extract. Conclusion: VG, like other ginseng products, has significant and potentially useful psychopharmacological effects. This includes, but is not limited to, psychomotor stimulation, anxiolytic, antistress, and memory enhancing effects.

Alleviating Effects of Opuntia ficus indica Extracts on Psychomotor Alterations Induced by Ethanol in Rats

Irene Joy I. dela Peña,윤서영,김희진,심홍,김지형,정나래,백세희,서용기,박석준,문병석,정재훈 한국식품과학회 2014 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.23 No.6

Effects of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) extractson ethanol-induced psychomotor alterations were studiedusing Sprague-Dawley rats orally administered 4 g/kg ofethanol (EtOH group) or distilled water (control group). AnOFI-group received OFI extracts (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg)30 min prior to EtOH administration. Behavioral andhematological tests were evaluated 1, 2, 4, and 8 h afterEtOH administration. Electroencephalogram (EEG) assessmentwas also performed. EtOH significantly (p<0.001) inducedpsychomotor alterations (reduced locomotion, balance,coordination, muscle strength, and tolerance to cold),compared with control group rats. Pre-treatment with OFIextracts alleviated alterations and also inhibited elevationof blood ethanol levels. EEG (percent of total power fordelta, theta, alpha, and beta) results for OFI group rats weresimilar to control rats, indicating a countering of EtOHinducedEEG changes. Extracts of OFI can be effective foralleviation of psychomotor alterations induced by EtOHadministration.

Supplementation of Laurus nobilis Attenuate Ethanol-induced Psychomotor Alterations in Rats

Irene Joy I. dela Peña,June Bryan dela Pen˜a,윤서영,김희진,이진희,백세희,서용기,백석준,문병석,정재훈 한국생약학회 2014 Natural Product Sciences Vol.20 No.1

Laurus nobilis (L. nobilis) is traditionally used as an herbal medicine to treat various diseases. Ethanol (EtOH) consumption entails physiological, mental and psychomotor alterations. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of L. nobilis in attenuating the EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations. L. nobilis was administered to SD rats, 30 minutes before EtOH administration (4 g/kg), at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Evaluations of psychomotor activity in the open-field, accelerating rota-rod, wire, and swimming ability were done at 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after EtOH administration. In addition, blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels were also measured. Pre-treatment of L. nobilis significantly improved EtOH-induced psychomotor alterations and decreased blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels. These findings suggest that L. nobilis might be an effective substance to attenuate the harmful effects of EtOH, particularly psychomotor alterations, and can potentially be considered as a functional food.

The Atxn7-overexpressing mice showed hyperactivity and impulsivity which were ameliorated by atomoxetine treatment: A possible animal model of the hyperactive-impulsive phenotype of ADHD

dela Peñ,a, Irene Joy I.,Botanas, Chrislean Jun,de la Peñ,a, June Bryan,Custodio, Raly James,dela Peñ,a, Ike,Ryoo, Zae Young,Kim, Bung-Nyun,Ryu, Jong Hoon,Kim, Hee Jin,Cheong, Jae Ho Elsevier 2019 Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological Vol.88 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by varying levels of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. Patients with ADHD are often classified as (1) predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, (2) predominantly inattentive, and (3) combined type. There is a growing interest in developing specific animal models that would recapitulate specific clinical forms of ADHD, with the goal of developing specific therapeutic strategies. In our previous study, we have identified Ataxin-7 (<I>Atxn7</I>) as a hyperactivity-associated gene. Here, we generated Atxn7 overexpressing (Atxn7 OE) mice to investigate whether the increased Atxn7 expression in the brain correlates with ADHD-like behaviors. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence confirmed overexpression of the Atxn7 gene and protein in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum (STR) of the Atxn7 OE mice. The Atxn7 OE mice displayed hyperactivity and impulsivity, but not inattention. Interestingly, treatment with the ADHD drug, atomoxetine (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), attenuated ADHD-like behaviors and reduced Atxn7 gene expression in the PFC and STR of these mice. These findings suggest that Atxn7 plays a role in the pathophysiology of ADHD, and that the Atxn7 OE mice can be used as an animal model of the hyperactive-impulsive phenotype of this disorder. Although confirmatory studies are warranted, the present study provides valuable information regarding the potential genetic underpinnings of ADHD.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> We previously found that Atxn7 is associated with ADHD-like behaviors. </LI> <LI> We generated mice that overexpresses Atxn7 in the brain (Atxn7 OE). </LI> <LI> The Atxn7 OE mice show hyperactivity and impulsivity, but not inattention. </LI> <LI> Atomoxetine attenuates the hyperactive and impulsive behavior of the Atxn7 OE mice. </LI> <LI> The Atxn7 OE mice may represent the hyperactive-impulsive subtype of ADHD. </LI> </UL> </P>