Yokukansan increases serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in Gunn rat

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed at high levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), and decreased levels of BDNF have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). We have previously reported that yokukansan (YKS), which is a traditional Japanese medicine, is effective for SCZ and promotes neurogenesis in the DG of Gunn rats, an animal model of SCZ. In this study, we investigated the effect of YKS on serum BDNF levels in Gunn rats. The results showed that YKS increased serum BDNF in this model, which may suggest that BDNF expression in the DG leads to increased neurogenesis. Our findings may help to explain the efficacy of YKS in treating SCZ.