Fig. 4. Mitochondrial oxidative stress might be involved in the effects of catalpol on CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior and NLRP3 activation.
a The experimental paradigm and the experimental group. b The time spent immobile in the FST (n = 10/group). c Rearing numbers in the OFT (n = 10/group). d Total distance traveled in the OFT (n = 10/group). e Open-arm time proportion in the EPM test (n = 10/group). f–i Detection of NLRP3 inflammasome in the hippocampus of CUMS mice. Western blot analysis of (f) NLRP3 (n = 6–8/group), (g) cleaved caspase-1 (n = 6–8/group), (h) ASC (n = 6–8/group), and (i) cleaved IL-1β (n = 6–8/group). All data are expressed as the mean ± SD. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, compared with control group; ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001, compared with vehicle group.