• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.182-190
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• 2007

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a decline in cognitive abilities. Dementia is one of the aged related mental problems and a characteristic symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Nootropic agents like piracetam and cholinesterase inhibitors like $Donepezil^{\circledR}$ are used in situations where there is organic disorder in learning abilities, but the resulting side-effects associated with these agents have limited their utility. Foeniculum (F.) vulgare Linn. is widely used in Indian traditional systems of medicines and also as a house remedy for nervous debility. The present work was undertaken to assess the potential of F. vulgare as a nootropic and anti-cholinesterase agent in mice. Exteroceptive behavioral models such as Elevated plus maze and Passive avoidance paradigm were employed to assess short term and long term memory in mice. To delineate the possible mechanism through which F. vulgare elicits the anti-amnesic effects, its influence on central cholinergic activity was studied by estimating the whole brain acetylcholinesterase activity. Pretreatment of methanolic extract of fruits of F. vulgare Linn. for 8 successive days, ameliorated the amnesic effect of scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg) and aging induced memory deficits in mice. F. vulgare extract significantly decreased transfer latencies of young mice and aged mice, increased step down latency and exhibited significant anti-acetyl cholinesterase effects, when compared to piracetam, scopolamine and control groups of mice. F. vulgare might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in the elderly.

• 한국해양생명과학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.78-86
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• 2023

Here, upon acute (96 h) and chronic (14 days) exposure, ingestion of polystyrene NPs (100 nm) and physiological, biochemical, and cholinergic modulations were analyzed in the water flea Moina macrocopa exposed to different concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 ㎍ l^-1). Exposed NPs were observed in the internal organs (e.g., digestive tract and foregut) of the water flea. Chronic exposure to the relatively high concentrations resulted in significant decreases in survival, body length, and the total number of molts, whereas reproduction parameter was not affected. Significant increase in oxidative stress biomarker (malondialdehyde) and decrease in the intracellular content of endogenous antioxidant (glutathione) and enzymatic activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase) were detected in response to relatively high concentrations of NPs. Transcriptional expression of the hsp70 gene was increased in response to relatively high concentrations of NPs, whereas acetylcholinesterase activity was lowered by the same concentrations of NPs. Taken together, NPs exposure would be a significant modulator on physiological and biochemical metabolism of water flea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

This study compared the effects of black, white, and red ginseng extracts (WGE, RGE, BGE, 200 mg/kg, p.o.) on learning and memory deficits associated with scopolamine treatment (SCOP, 2 mg/kg, i.p.). Tacrine (THA, 10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a positive control. Ginseng significantly reversed SCOP-induced memory impairment in the passiveavoidance test and also reduced escape latency in training trials of the Morris water maze test. The increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity produced by SCOP was significantly inhibited by WGE and RGE (p<0.001). SCOP administration had no effect on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, but RGE and BGE significantly increased ChAT activity (p<0.05). SCOP administration increased oxidative damage in the brain. Treatment of amnesic mice with ginseng extracts decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity to control levels. These results suggest that black ginseng enhances cognitive activity by regulation of cholinergic enzymes and antioxidant systems.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.379-392
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• 2019

본 연구에서는 갑주백목 에탄올 추출물(ethanolic extraction from Diospyros kaki (Gabjubaekmok))을 이용하여 in vitro 항산화 활성과 더불어 $A{\beta}$로 유도된 인지기능 저하를 갖는 마우스 모델에서 인지기능 및 뇌 신경세포 보호 효과를 검증하였다. 갑주백목 추출물은 양성대조군과 비교하여 우수한 ABTS 및 DPPH 라디칼 소거활성($IC_{50}=83.30$, $403.88{\mu}g/mL$) 및 MDA 생성 억제 활성($IC_{50}=62.10{\mu}g/mL$)을 보여주었고, in vitro 아세틸콜린 분해효소 억제 활성은 $312.82{\mu}g/mL$의 $IC_{50}$ 값을 나타내었다. 또한, MC-IXC 뇌 신경세포에 과산화수소를 처리하여 산화적 스트레스를 유발시킨 뇌 신경세포 사멸에 대해 보호 효과를 나타냈다. 갑주 백목 추출물의 인지기능 개선 효과를 확인하기 위하여 $A{\beta}$를 사용하여 인지기능 장애 마우스 모델을 수립하였으며, Y-미로, 수동 회피 및 Morris 수중 미로 실험과 같은 행동실험을 통해 인지 및 기억능력에 대한 개선 효과를 나타냈다. 이후 마우스 뇌조직에서의 아세틸콜린 함량의 증가 및 아세틸콜린 분해효소의 활성을 억제함으로써 cholinergic 시스템을 보호하였고, SOD, 환원형 GSH 및 MDA 함량 측정을 통해 항산화 시스템을 개선시켜줌을 확인하였다. 더불어 뇌 조직의 미토콘드리아에서 ROS의 생성 억제, MMP 보호 및 ATP 함량을 회복시켜주었으며, western blot 분석을 통해 $TNF-{\alpha}$와 같은 염증성 사이토카인을 억제시켜 줌으로써 면역반응에 관여하는 JNK의 인산화를 감소시키고 Akt 신호전달을 활성화시켜 세포자동 사멸화를 억제시키는 것으로 확인되었다. 마지막으로 HPLC 분석을 통해서 갑주백목의 주요 생리활성물질이 갈산으로 확인되었다. 이러한 결과를 종합하였을 때, 갑주백목 에탄올 추출물은 뇌 조직에서의 cholinergic 및 항산화 시스템 보호효과를 통해 $A{\beta}$ 처리에 대하여 학습 및 기억 능력을 개선 시킬 수 있는 천연 소재로서의 가능성뿐만 아니라 $A{\beta}$ 및 과산화수소로부터 유발된 산화적 스트레스의 환경에서 뇌신경세포를 보호함으로써 알츠하이머성 질환과 같은 퇴행성 뇌신경질환을 예방할 수 있는 고부가가치 건강기능식품 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 확인하였다.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.231-238
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• 2019

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD), an overwhelming neurodegenerative disease, has deleterious effects on the brain that consequently causes memory loss and language impairment. This study was intended to investigate the neuroprotective activity of the two essential oils (EOs) from Iranian Pistacia khinjuk (PK) leaves and Allium sativum (AS) cloves against β-Amyloid 25-35 (Aβ25-35) induced elevation of cholinesterase enzymes in AD. Methods: The EOs of PK (PKEO) and AS (ASEO) were prepared and analyzed in terms of extraction yield, phenolic content, and cholinergic markers in vitro. Moreover, both were administered orally to adult male Wistar rats at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3%. The inhibitory potential of PKEO and ASEO was compared with Donepezil (0.75 mg/kg) against the high activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Results: PKEO reached an inhibition rate of 83.6% and 81.4% against AChE and BChE, respectively. ASEO had lower anti-cholinesterase activity (65.4% and 31.5% for the inhibition AChE and BChE). PKEO was found to have more phenolic content than ASEO. A significantly positive correlation was observed between the total phenolics and anti-cholinesterase potential. In rats, both EOs decreased the enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner. As compared with Donepezil, the significant difference in the AChE and BChE inhibition occurred as rats were treated with PKEO 3% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It could be concluded that PKEO and ASEO are potent inhibitors of AChE and BChE in rats that hold promise to be used for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.401-411
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• 2018

Longevity in medicine can be defined as a long life without mental or physical deficits. This can be prevented by Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current conventional AD treatments only alleviate the symptoms without reversing AD progression. Recent studies demonstrated that Panax ginseng extract improves AD symptoms in patients with AD, and the two main components of ginseng might contribute to AD amelioration. Ginsenosides show various AD-related neuroprotective effects. Gintonin is a newly identified ginseng constituent that contains lysophosphatidic acids and attenuates AD-related brain neuropathies. Ginsenosides decrease amyloid ${\beta}$-protein ($A{\beta}$) formation by inhibiting ${\beta}$- and ${\gamma}$-secretase activity or by activating the nonamyloidogenic pathway, inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity and $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity, and decrease $A{\beta}$-induced production of reactive oxygen species and neuro-inflammatory reactions. Oral administration of ginsenosides increases the expression levels of enzymes involved in acetylcholine synthesis in the brain and alleviates $A{\beta}$-induced cholinergic deficits in AD models. Similarly, gintonin inhibits $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity and activates the nonamyloidogenic pathway to reduce $A{\beta}$ formation and to increase acetylcholine and choline acetyltransferase expression in the brain through lysophosphatidic acid receptors. Oral administration of gintonin attenuates brain amyloid plaque deposits, boosting hippocampal cholinergic systems and neurogenesis, thereby ameliorating learning and memory impairments. It also improves cognitive functions in patients with AD. Ginsenosides and gintonin attenuate AD-related neuropathology through multiple routes. This review focuses research demonstrating that ginseng constituents could be a candidate as an adjuvant for AD treatment. However, clinical investigations including efficacy and tolerability analyses may be necessary for the clinical acceptance of ginseng components in combination with conventional AD drugs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.40-49
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• 2018

We evaluated the antioxidant activity and neuronal cell-protective effect of fucoidan extract from Ecklonia cava (FEC) on hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced cytotoxicity in PC-12 and MC-IXC cells to assess its protective effect against oxidative stress. Antioxidant activities were examined using the ABTS radical scavenging activity and malondialdehyde-inhibitory effect, and the results showed that FEC had significant antioxidant activity. Intracellular ROS contents and neuronal cell viability were investigated using the DCF-DA assay and MTT reduction assay. FEC also showed remarkable neuronal cell-protective effect compared with vitamin C as a positive control for both $H_2O_2$-treated PC-12 and MC-IXC cells. Based on the neuronal cell-protective effects, mitochondrial function was analyzed in PC-12 cells, and FEC significantly restored mitochondrial damage by increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) and ATP levels and regulating mitochondrial-mediated proteins (p-AMPK and BAX). Finally, the inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is a critical hydrolyzing enzyme of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the cholinergic system, were investigated ($IC_{50}$ value = 1.3 mg/ml) and showed a mixed (competitive and noncompetitive) pattern of inhibition. Our findings suggest that FEC may be used as a potential material for alleviating oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by regulating mitochondrial function and AChE inhibition.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.207-213
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• 2012

The present study examined the effects of krill-derived phosphatidylserine (Krill-PS) on the learning and memory function and the neural activity in rats with trimethyltin (TMT)-induced memory deficits. The rats were administered vehicle (medium-chain triglyceride: MCT) or Krill-PS (50, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 21 days. The cognitive improving efficacy of Krill-PS in TMT-induced amnesic rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze test and by performing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) immunohistochemistry. The rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with Krill-PS produced a significant improvement of the escape latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze at the $2^{nd}$ and $4^{th}$ day compared to that of the MCT group (p<0.05). In the retention test, the Krill-PS+MCT groups showed increased time spent around the platform compared to that of the MCT group. Consistent with the behavioral data, Krill-PS 50+MCT group significantly alleviated the loss of acetylcholinergic neurons in the hippocampus and medial septum compared to that of the MCT group. Treatment with Krill-PS significantly increased the CREB positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area as compared to that of the MCT group. These results suggest that Krill-PS may be useful for improving the cognitive function via regulation of cholinergic marker enzyme activity and neural activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.21-28
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• 1980

In order to investigate the effect of cholinergic substance on the electrical and the mechanical activities of the stomach muscle, 10 isolated cat stomachs were studied. At various sites of a stomach muscle preparation, the electrical activity was monopolarly recorded by using capillary electrodes containing chlorided silver wires, and the isometric contractile activity was recorded simultaneously at the terminal portion of the antrum in Krebs solution$(36^{\circ}C)$ which was aerated with a gas mixture consisting of 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. The recording of these activities were performed before (control period) and after acetylcholine$(10^{-5}M)$ and atropine $(10^{-6}M)$ administrations serially. Following results were obtained: 1) The mean frequency of the slow wave was $4.36{\pm}0.22\;cycles/min$ at all the various sites of the cat stomach. The slow wave was propagated caudad in sequence and its velosity of propagation increased as the slow wave approached the pylorus in normal Krebs solution. 2) After acetylcholine administration, the frequency of the slow wave increased transiently and the increase of slow wave frequency was followed by the isometric contraction of antral muscle in association with the second potential which succeeded the slow wave. 3) By atropine administration, the stimulatory effect of acetylcholine on the antral muscle contraction was abolished completely, and the frequency of the slow wave decreased significantly compared with that of the control period, which tendency was more prominent in the antrum. The above results suggest that the transient increase in the frequency of gastric slow wave by acetylcholine may have some influence upon the contraction mechanism of the cat antral muscle.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제45권11호
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• pp.1552-1563
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• 2016

본 연구는 양파의 불쾌치를 저감화시킨 무취음료와 양파 과피 추출물을 첨가한 생리활성 성분 강화음료의 $H_2O_2$로 유도된 산화적 스트레스에 대한 뇌신경세포 보호 효과와 $A{\beta}$로 유도된 인지기능 장애 동물모델에서의 개선 효과를 검증하고자 수행되었다. 뇌신경세포 보호 효과에서는 상대적으로 강화음료에서 무취음료 대비 우수한 산화적 스트레스 억제효과 및 생존율을 나타내었다. $A{\beta}$로 유도된 인지기능 장애 동물모델에 있어 Y-maze, passive avoidance 및 Morris water maze test에서 강화음료가 상대적으로 우수한 학습 및 기억력 개선 효과를 나타내는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 마우스의 뇌 조직에서 강화음료 그룹은 AChE 활성을 저해하고, 신경전달물질인 ACh의 함량을 증가시킴으로써 $A{\beta}$로 유도된 cholinergic system 장애에 있어 개선 효과를 나타내었다. 또한, 마우스 뇌에서 SOD 함량의 증가, oxidized GSH/total GSH와 MDA 함량을 감소시킴으로써 $A{\beta}$와 같은 산화적 스트레스 인자에 대한 뛰어난 항산화 효과를 나타내었다. 최종적으로 무취음료와 강화음료의 주요성분들을 Q-TOF UPLC/MS system을 통하여 분석한 결과, 강화음료의 경우 무취음료보다 생리활성을 가진 2개의 steroidal saponin과 6개의 phenolic 화합물 등이 추가 검출되었다. 이러한 결과들을 종합해볼 때 강화음료는 상대적으로 protocatechuic acid와 quercetin 같은 강력한 항산화 효과를 나타내는 phenolic 화합물과 steroidal saponin 계열에 의한 우수한 인지기능 개선 효과를 기반으로 한 고부가가치 식품으로 활용될 수 있는 산업적 가능성이 있다고 판단된다.