Anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum Murray reduce nicotine withdrawal-induced anxiety and craving in mice

Abstract

Lycium ruthenicum Murray is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and is believed to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-fatigue effects. Anthocyanins are considered to be one of the main active components. The previous work by our research team found that the anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum extract (ALRM) produce a stable anti-anxiety effect. The mechanisms of action include reducing the level of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) as well as regulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen activation, protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathways, and others, all of which are related to the mechanisms of nicotine addiction. To investigate the effects of ALRM on anxiety and craving behavior after nicotine withdrawal, the components of ALRM were analyzed using the UPLC-Orbitrap MS method. The effects of ALRM on anxiety behavior induced by nicotine withdrawal were investigated in mice using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light-dark box (LDB) tests. The effects of ALRM on craving behavior after nicotine withdrawal were further investigated using the conditional place preference (CPP) test. The EPM and LDB tests demonstrated that ALRM could alleviate the anxiety behavior induced by nicotine withdrawal and reduce nicotine craving in mice. Based on the identified ALRM components, the network pharmacology method was used to predict the mechanism of ALRM alleviating anxiety after nicotine withdrawal in mice. It was speculated that ALRM was involved in the production and transmission of dopamine, choline, and other nervous system functions and exhibited a potential role in treating nicotine addiction.