• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.32-42
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• 2021

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds (EELJ) on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus-derived neuronal HT22 cells. Methods : After analyzing the cytoprotective effect of EELJ on glutamate in HT22 cells, the inhibitory effect of apoptosis was studied using flow cytometry. In order to analyze the antioxidant efficacy of EELJ, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) were investigated, and the effects on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also analyzed. Furthermore, the effect of EELJ on the expression of apoptosis regulators such as Bax and Bcl-2 in glutamate-treated HT22 cells was investigated. Results : According the current results, pretreatment with EELJ significantly reduced glutamate-induced loss of cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase. EELJ also markedly attenuated glutamate-induced generation of intracellular ROS, which was associated with increased levels of GSH, and activity of SOD and CAT in glutamate-stimulated HT22 cells. In addition, EELJ was strikingly inhibited glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax was increased and the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased in glutamate-treated HT22 cells, while in the presence of EELJ, their expressions were maintained at the control levels. Conclusions : These findings indicate that EELJ protects glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal neurons through antioxidant activity. Therefore, although identification of biologically active substances of EELJ and re-evaluation through animal experiments is necessary, this natural substance is a promising candidate for further research in preventing and treating oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.145-151
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• 2019

Methamphetamine (METH) acts strongly on the nervous system and damages neurons and is known to cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds present in green tea, red wine and several fruits exhibit antioxidant properties that protect neurons from oxidative damage and promote neuronal survival. Especially, epicatechin (EC) is a powerful flavonoid with antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor and antimutagenic effects as well as antioxidant effects. We therefore investigated whether EC could prevent METH-induced neurotoxicity using HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells. EC reduced METH-induced cell death of HT22 cells. In addition, we observed that EC abrogated the activation of ERK, p38 and inhibited the expression of CHOP and DR4. EC also reduced METH-induced ROS accumulation and MMP. These results suggest that EC may protect HT22 hippocampal neurons against METH-induced cell death by reducing ER stress and mitochondrial damage.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.475-483
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• 2016

본 연구는 동의보감을 근거로 선별된 백수오, 지황, 원지 및 석창포로 구성된 복합추출물의 해마신경세포에 대한 보호 및 기억력의 개선효과를 살펴보았다. 복합추출물의 신경보호효과를 검증하기 위해 HT22해마신경세포의 생존율, 세포독성 및 활성산소를 분석하였으며, 허혈성 뇌손상 마우스모델을 이용하여 기억에 대한 동물행동학적 변화와 단백질 발현을 측정하였다. 해마신경세포에서 복합추출물의 전 처리는 glutamate에 의해 유도된 활성산소의 축적을 억제하였으며 세포사멸을 감소시켰다. 허혈성 뇌손상 마우스모델에서 복합추출물은 동물행동학적으로 공간 및 단기 기억능력을 개선시켰다. 뇌허혈로 인해 증가된 p38 MAPK의 인산화는 복합추출물에 의해 현저히 감소하는 반면, 감소된 PI3K와 CREB의 인산화는 현저히 증가하였다. 이를 면역조직화학분석을 통해 복합추출물을 투여한 그룹이 해마에서 발현되는 CREB의 인산화가 현저히 증가되는 것을 확인하였다. 이상의 결과는 복합추출물이 CREB 단백질과 관련된 신경보호 신호기전을 조절함으로써 인지기능을 개선시키는 것으로 사료된다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.43-56
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• 2005

Objectives : The acupuncture has been used as treatment of disease in the oriental medicine. In this study, it was investigated at had an effects of Heart JEONGGYEOK(心正格) of SAAM five evolutive phase acupuncture techniques(舍岩五行鑛法) for appling deficiency in the heart induced by experimental focal ischemia. Materials and methods : The focal ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2hours. The groups divided into 6 groups, normal(intactness group), control(no therapy group after ischemia-induced), AT1(reinforcing acupoint of Heart JEONGGYEOK : acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9 after ischemia-induced), AT2(reinforcing acupoint of Kidney JEONGGYEOK : acupuncture therapy group at LU8, KI7 after ischemia-induced) AT3(combination of reinforcing acupoint of Heart JEONGGYEOK and Kidney JEONGGYEOK : acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9, LU8, KI7 after ischemia-induced) AT4(reinforcing and reducing acupoint of Heart JEONGGYEOK : acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9, HT3, KI10 after ischemia-induced), AT4(reinforcing and reducing acupoint of Heart JEONGGYEOK : acupuncture therapy group at LRI, HT9, HT3, KI10 after ischemia-induced). Acupuncture therapy was carried out during 3 weeks after focal ischemia-induced. Eight-arm radial maze was used for the behavioral task and neuropretective effect of acupuncture therapy was observed by Cresyl violet, AchE, ChAT-stain. Results : The error rate in the eight-arm radial maze task was significantly decreased in AT3 group on 3days, in AT1 and AT4 groups on 4days, in AT3 and AT4 groups on 5days compared to the control group. The rate of correct choice was significantly increased AT4 group compared to the control group. The density of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 were significantly increased in all experiment groups, AT1, AT2, AT3 and AT4 groups compared to the control group. The density of AchE in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increased in AT4 group compared to the control group. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 were significantly increased in AT1 and AT3 group compared to the control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that reinforcing and reducing acupoint of Heart JEONGGYEOK could be used as a medication for controlling the stroke by deficiency in the heart.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.67-81
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• 2005

Objectives : Cervus Elaphus(CE) has been used to medication for ischemic stroke in the Oriental Medicine. So this study was planned to investigate the effects of CE herbal acupuncture therapy(CE-HAT) on the focal ischemia-induced by intraluminal filament insertion in the rats. Materials and methods : The focal ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2hours. The groups divided into 6 groups, normal(intachess group), control(no theray group after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT1(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9 after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT2(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LU8, KI7 after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT3(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9, LU8, KI7 after ischemia-induced), CE-HAT4(Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy group at LR1, HT9, HT3, KI10 after ischemia-induced). CE-HAT was carried out during 3 weeks after focal ischemia-induced. Eight-arm radial maze was used for the behavioral task and neuropretective effect of CE-HAT was observed by Cresyl violet, AchE, ChAT-stain. Results : The error rate in the eight-arm radial maze task was significantly decreased in CE-HAT1, CE-HAT2, CE-HAT4 on 3days, CE-HAT4 on 4days, CE-HAT2, CE-HAT4 on 5days, CE-HAT3, CE-HAT4 on 6days. The rate of correct choice was significantly increased in CE-HAT4. The density of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increased in CE-HAT1, CE-HAT2, CE-HAT3, CE-HAT4, compared to control group. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increase in CE-HAT4. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increased CE-HAT1. Conrlusions : These results suggest that the Cervus Elaphus-herbal acupuncture therapy could be used as a medication for controlling the stroke induced by deficiency.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제30권11호
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• pp.939-946
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• 2020

뇌졸중은 전 세계적으로 신경계 장애를 일으키는 주요 원인 중 하나이며, 뇌졸중 환자는 다양한 운동, 인지 및 정신 장애를 나타낸다. GPR88은 orphan G protein coupled receptor이며 striatal medium spiny neurons에서 높게 발현이 되며, GPR88이 결손이 된 경우 motor coordination과 motor learning에 문제가 발생하게 된다. 본 연구에서는 Western blot 및 real-time PCR을 사용하여 허혈성 마우스 모델에서 GPR88 발현이 감소함을 발견 하였다. 또한, 뇌에서 유래한 세 가지 유형의 세포들, 뇌혈관내피세포(brain microvascular endothelial cells), 미세 아교세포(microglial cells) 및 신경 세포들에서 GPR88의 발현정도를 확인한 결과, HT22 신경 세포에서 GPR88의 발현이 가장 높음을 관찰하였고, 뇌졸중과 유사한 실험조건인 oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) 조건에 배양한 HT22 신경세포에서 GPR88의 발현이 감소하였다. 또한 GPR88 효현제인 RTI-13951-33 (10 mg/kg)을 전처리후에 뇌허혈을 유발하였을 때, infarct volume의 감소, vestibular-motor function 및 neurological score의 개선효과를 관찰할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과는 GPR88이 허혈성 뇌졸중을 포함한 CNS 질환의 치료를 위한 잠재적인 약물표적이 될 수 있음을 제시한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.326-334
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• 2019

Background: The objective of our study was to analyze the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside derivatives Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1, and Rg3 against glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal mouse neuron cells. Methods: The neuroprotective effect of ginsenosides were evaluated by measuring cell viability. Protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Bcl2, Bax, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were determined by Western blot analysis. The occurrence of apoptotic and death cells was determined by flow cytometry. Cellular level of $Ca^{2+}$ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by image analysis using the fluorescent probes Fluor-3 and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, respectively. In vivo efficacy of neuroprotection was evaluated using the Mongolian gerbil of ischemic brain injury model. Result: Reduction of cell viability by glutamate (5 mM) was significantly suppressed by treatment with ginsenoside Rb2. Phosphorylation of MAPKs, Bax, and nuclear AIF was gradually increased by treatment with 5 mM of glutamate and decreased by co-treatment with Rb2. The occurrence of apoptotic cells was decreased by treatment with Rb2 ($25.7{\mu}M$). Cellular $Ca^{2+}$ and ROS levels were decreased in the presence of Rb2, and in vivo data indicated that Rb2 treatment (10 mg/kg) significantly diminished the number of degenerated neurons. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Rb2 possesses neuroprotective properties that suppress glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. The molecular mechanism of Rb2 is by suppressing the MAPKs activity and AIF translocation.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2006년도 Spring Conference
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• pp.123-135
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• 2006

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the aging population and is clinically characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive abilities. Pathologically, it is defined by the appearance of senile plaques - extracellular insoluble, congophilic protein aggregates composed of amyloid $\beta$ (A$\beta$) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) - inyracellular lesions consisting of paired helical filaments from hyperphosphorylated cytoskeletal tau protein as described by Alois Alzheimer a century ago. These hallmarks still serve as the major criteria for a definite diagnosis of the disease. Consequently, one of the key strategy for drug development in this disease area focuses on reducing the concentration of cerebral A$\beta$ plaque by using substances that inhibit A$\beta$ fibril formation. We focused on developing inhibitors by synthesizing several kinds of aromatic molecules. The synthetic compounds were initially screened to evaluate the effective compound by tioflavin T fluorescence assay. The selected effective compounds were tested cytotoxicity and protective effect from A$\beta$-induced neuronal toxicity by cell based MTT assay with HT22 hippocampal neurons. The BBB permeability on effectors was also tested in in vitro co-culture model(HUVEC/C6 cell line). The behavior test wea carried out in mutant APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. And inhibition of A$\beta$ fibril formation by the effective compound was monitored with transmitted electron microscopic images.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.442-452
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• 2020

Backgroud: Sleep deprivation (SD) impairs learning and memory by inhibiting hippocampal functioning at molecular and cellular levels. Abnormal autophagy and apoptosis are closely associated with neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. This study is aimed to explore the alleviative effect and the underlying molecular mechanism of stem-leaf saponins of Panax notoginseng (SLSP) on the abnormal neuronal autophagy and apoptosis in hippocampus of mice with impaired learning and memory induced by SD. Methods: Mouse spatial learning and memory were assessed by Morris water maze test. Neuronal morphological changes were observed by Nissl staining. Autophagosome formation was examined by transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, acridine orange staining, and transient transfection of the tf-LC3 plasmid. Apoptotic event was analyzed by flow cytometry after PI/annexin V staining. The expression or activation of autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting assay. Results: SLSP was shown to improve the spatial learning and memory of mice after SD for 48 h, accomanied with restrained excessive autophage and apoptosis, whereas enhanced activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway in hippocampal neurons. Meanwhile, it improved the aberrant autophagy and apoptosis induced by rapamycin and re-activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling transduction in HT-22 cells, a hippocampal neuronal cell line. Conclusion: SLSP could alleviate cognitive impairment induced by SD, which was achieved probably through suppressing the abnormal autophagy and apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. The findings may contribute to the clinical application of SLSP in the prevention or therapy of neurological disorders associated with SD.