Chaihu-Shugan-San and absorbed meranzin hydrate induce anti-atherosclerosis and behavioral improvements in high-fat diet ApoE mice via anti-inflammatory and BDNF-TrkB pathway.

High fat diet fed (HFD-fed) ApoE−/− mice showed significant depressive-like behavioral and atherosclerotic changes like the increased of TC, TG, LDL-c and plaque area. In addition, the expressions of BDNF and TrkB in both hippocampus and cardiovascular system were decreased, while the proinflammatory factors were increased. Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) and its absorbed active component meranzin hydrate (MH) induced anti-atherosclerosis and antidepressant effects via regulating the proinflammatory factors and BDNF-TrkB signal pathway.