Abstract
Pterostilbene, a natural analog of resveratrol, has diverse health-beneficial
properties. However, the neurological activities of this compound are
largely unexplored. Here, we report that pterostilbene shows anxiolytic-like
actions by down-regulating phosphorylated levels of extracellular regulated
kinases in the hippocampus of mice. Adult male mice administered
pterostilbene (1–10 mg/kg, p. o.) were subjected to the elevated plus maze
test. Pterostilbene manifested anxiolytic activity at 1 and 2 mg/kg doses,
demonstrated by increases in % permanence time and number of open arm
entries. The locomotor activity of the animals was unaffected at all doses.
Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in both extracellular regulated
kinase1 and extracellular regulated kinase 2 phosphorylation in hippocampal
homogenates from mice treated with 1 and 2 mg/kg pterostilbene. Moreover,
pterostilbene was detected in the plasma and brains of mice following single
oral administration. Anxiolytic activity was not observed at the higher
doses (5 and 10 mg/kg). However, no impairment of motor function was
observed either, suggesting a favorable safety index for the compound. These
results suggest that pterostilbene has the potential for therapeutic drug
development for anxiety disorders.
Key words
pterostilbene - anxiolytic activity - elevated plus maze - ERK phosphorylation - hippocampus
