Effects of herbal extracts on mRNA expression of intrinsic antidepressant‐related candidate factor BNIP‐3 in cultured neuronal and glial cell lines: Relationship with the Kampo concept of Qi

Abstract

It has been reported that the expression level of BNIP‐3 mRNA increases by antidepressants and Hochu‐ekki‐To (HET), suggesting that BNIP‐3 may be a candidate depression‐related factor. Therefore, in order to examine the relationship between BNIP‐3 and Qi, the expression levels of BNIP‐3 mRNA were examined using 22 newly extracted crude drugs which were selected from the previous library results on 120 crude drugs in the neuronal cell line N18TG‐2 and in the glial cell line C6Bu‐1.