• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.35-40
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• 2018

Objective: The role of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), CREB (cAMP response element binding) and VGF neuropeptide has been proved in antidepressant activity of long term saffron administration in the rat hippocampus. In this study we evaluated the role of these proteins in antidepressant activity of saffron in long term administration in the rat cerebellum. Methods: Saffron aqueous extract (40 and 80 mg/kg/day) and imipramine (10 mg/kg/day) were administered intraperitoneally for 21 days to rats. At the end of experiment, animals were sacrificed and cerebellums were separated. The protein levels of BDNF, VGF, CREB and P- CREB in the rat cerebellum were evaluated using western blot analysis. Results: Saffron aqueous extract (80mg/kg/day) caused significant increase in protein level of P-CREB in long term treatment in the rat cerebellum. The increases in the protein levels of VGF, CREB and BDNF were not significant. Conclusion: In summary, our results showed that antidepressant effect of saffron in rat cerebellum might be due to the enhanced phosphorylation of CREB.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.138-144
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• 2024

Crocin은 여러 가지 요리에 향미와 색깔을 주는 치자 열매나 사프란에 함유되어 있는 적노란색의 수용성 색소이다. 사프란과 치자는 전통의학 분야에서 부종, 해열, 해독 작용이 있어 바이러스성 간염, 식도염, 관상동맥심장병, 신경쇠약, 불면증, 퇴행성 신경질환, 호흡기 질환, 비뇨기 질환 등을 치료하는데 사용되어 왔다. Crocin (C₄₄H₆₄O₂₄)은 카로테노이드의 복합체로, dicarboxylic acid crocetin과 disaccharide gentiobiose로 이루어진 diester이다. Crocin은 혈액학적인, 병리학적인 독성이나 유전독성이 없다. 현재까지 수많은 생체 내 및 생체 외 연구들을 통해 Crocin의 생물학적인 약리작용이 밝혀지고 있다. 본 총설에서는 염증성 장질환, 위염, 천식, 동맥경화, 류머티스 관절염, 다발성 경화증, 당뇨, 알츠하이머병, 파킨슨병, 우울증 등의 염증 관련 질환에서 Crocin의 보호 효과를 요약한다. Crocin은 다양한 작용 기전을 통해 항염, 항산화, 세포 자살 방지 기능을 함으로써 이들 질환을 개선하는 것으로 추론된다.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

Objective: D-galactose (D-gal) is well-known agent to induce aging process. In the present study, we selected crocin, the main constituent of Crocus sativus L. (saffron), against D-gal- induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: Pretreated cells with crocin ($25-500{\mu}M$, 24 h) were exposed to D-gal (25-400 mM, 48 h). The MTT assay was used for determination cell viability. Dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay (DCF-DA) and senescence associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase staining assay (SA-${\beta}$-gal) were used to evaluate the generation of reactive oxygen species and beta-galactosidase as an aging marker, respectively. Also advanced glycation end products (AGEs) expression which is known as the main mechanism of age-related diseases was measured by western blot analysis. Results: The findings of our study showed that treatment of cells with D-gal (25-400 mM) for 48h decreased cell viability concentration dependency. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels which are known as main factors in age-related diseases increased from $100{\pm}8%$ in control group to $132{\pm}22%$ in D-gal (200 mM) treated cells for 48h. The cytotoxic effects of D-gal decreased with 24h crocin pretreatment of cells. The cell viability at concentrations of $100{\mu}M$, $200{\mu}M$ and $500{\mu}M$ increased and ROS production decreased at concentrations of 200 and $500{\mu}M$ to $111.5{\pm}6%$ and $108{\pm}5%$, respectively. Also lysosomal biomarker of aging and carboxymethyl lysine (CML) expression as an AGE protein, significantly increased in D-gal 200 mM group after 48h incubation compare to control group. Pre-treatment of SHSY-5Y cells with crocin ($500{\mu}M$) before adding D-gal significantly reduced aging marker and CML formation. Conclusion: Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with crocin before adding of D-gal restored aging effects of D-gal concentration dependency. These findings indicate that crocin has potent anti- aging effects through inhibition of AGEs and ROS production.