• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2002

Effect of single administration of Polygala tenuipolia was examined on short-term memory in step through test and the intensity of the immunoreactive c-Fos protein induced by oral administration of ethanol. The acquisition of memory was significantly reduced by ethanol, and ethanol amnesia was remarkably reversed following oral administration of Polygala tenuifolia. c-Fos protein in normal rat brain was highly expressed in order of thalamus, pariental cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdaloid and cingulate cortex. The expression of Fos protein was remarkably suppressed by single administration of ethanol. The inhibitory effect of ethanol on expression of Fos protein was reversed by single administration of Polygara tenuipolia, especially tissues of limbic areas such as amygdala, parietal cortex and CA3 of hippocampus. These results suggested that the amelioration process of Polygala tenuipolia on ethanol amnesia seems to be involve the expression of c-Fos protein in partly.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.178-192
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• 1983

Polygalae Radix was used as diuretics, analgesics and expertorants in oriental medicine. The root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Polygalaceae) is comprised saponin (Onjisaponin A,B,C,D,E,F and G) polygalitol, onsitin and sugars. The pharmacological action of crude Polygala-saponin (PS) obtained from the roots are studied. The following results were obtained; 1) The median lethal dose $(LD_{50})$ of PS in mice is presented 71.1mg/kg s.c. and 694. 5mg/kg p.o.. 2) PS demonstrated diuretic action of relatively long acting duration in mice. 3) The diuretic mechanism of PS was found due to inhibitory effect of renal tubular reabsorption of electrolytes and glomerular vascular dilatation. 4) The group, administered simultaneously PS and cefadroxil monobydrate was significantly increased with PS alone group on diuretic action. Synergistic effect cefadroxil monohydrate on the diuretic action of PS seems due to competitive inhibition of plasma protein binding with PS. 5) PS demonstrated analgesic action by the acetic acid stimulating method and Randall-Selitto test in mice. 6) PS presented antipyretic action against febrile treated with the typhoid vaccine. 7) PS was significantly prolonged against the hypnotic duration of pentobarbital in mice. 8) Onset time convulsion and death induced by picrotoxin and strychnine in mice were not delayed. According to the above results, the PS was identified as a pharmacological active component obtained from roots of Polygala tenuifolia Willd.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 1999

We investigated whether an aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia root (PTAE) inhibits secretion of inflammatory cytokines from primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. PTAE dose-dependently inhibited the Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$ secretion by astrocytes stimulated with substance P (SP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to elevate $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion from LPS-stimulated astrocytes while having no effect on astrocytes in the absence of LPS. We therefore also investigated whether IL-1 mediated inhibition of $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion from primary astrocytes by PTAE. Treatment of PTAE to astrocytes stimulated with both LPS and SP decreased IL-1 secretion to the level observed with LPS alone. Moreover, incubation of astrocytes with IL-1 antibody abolished the synergistic cooperative effect of LPS and SP. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated the significantly reduced level of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA was expressed in astrocytes treated with PTAE. These results suggest that PTAE has an antiinflammatory activity on the central nervous system curing some pathological disease states.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity of the water extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. (Pt-WE). Methods : Using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW264.7 cells, we examined inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). Also, the inhibitory effect of Pt-WE on the activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and upstream signaling molecules was evaluated. To assess the protective effect of Pt-WE on hydrochloride/ethanol (HCl/EtOH)-induced gastric ulcer in mice, we compared Pt-WE (200 mg/kg) with ranitidine (50 mg/kg) treated mice's gastric mucosa, based on gross observations. Results : Pt-WE inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, $PGE_2$ in a dose-dependent manner, without causing cytotoxicity. Pt-WE suppressed AP-1 activation by reducing generations of both c-Jun and c-Fos. In addition, Pt-WE inhibited the p-MKK 4/7 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4/7) and p-JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) 1 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. HCl/EtOH-induced gastric ulcer lesions were inhibited by pre-treatment of Pt-WE based on gross observations. In addition, Pt-WE decreased the phosphorylation level of JNK. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Pt-WE has anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects. Thus, Pt-WE may be used widely in treatment of not only neurodegenerative diseases but also inflammatory diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2010

The chemical structures of eight compounds purified from two plants (Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow and Dioscorea batatas Decene) were determined and their anti-microbial activity against three microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans) was tested. The three micro organisms were cultured in 96-well plates or Petri dishes without (control) or with the eight compounds added at concentrations of 100 to 0.01 ${\mu}M$ (wt/vol). The growth of the microorganisms in the medium was examined after a 24-h incubation. The inhibitory effect of each compound on the growth of the microorganisms was calculated from the optical density measured at 595 nm, turbidity, and size of the inhibition zone around the treated paper disc. The minimum inhiitory concentration (MIC) of compounds 4 to 7 against S. aureus was 0.08, 0.05, 1.3 and 0.02 ${\mu}M$, respectively, and 0.09, 0.1, 0.2 and 100 ${\mu}M$ against C. albicans. The $IC_{50}$ (50% inhibition) values of compounds 5 and 6 were 3.1 and 6.4 ${\mu}M$ against S. aureus, respectively, and 10 and 2.4 ${\mu}M$ against C. albicans. Therefore, compounds 4 to 6 were the most potent anti-microbial agents among the eight compounds tested.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.85-105
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to characterize the neuroprotective effects and anxiolytic-like effects of Gongjin-dan and Polygala japonica, Polygala tenuifolia, Acorus gramineus mixed pills(G.J.D-P.P.A.). Methods : The neuroprotective effects of G.J.D-P.P.A. determined by the passive avoidance and Y-maze tasks and Morris water maze task, and the anxiolytic-like effects of the G.J.D-P.P.A. using an elevated plus-maze(EPM) in mice. Results : Drug-induced amnesia was induced by treating animals with scopolamine(1 mg/kg, i.p.). A single G.J.D-P.P.A.(400 and 800 mg/kg) administration significantly enhanced cognitive function and attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments as determined by the passive avoidance and Y-maze tasks(P < 0.05) and also reduced escape-latency on the Morris water maze task(P < 0.05). The administration of GJD-PPA(400 and 800 mg/kg) significantly increased the percentage of time spent in open arms and entries into the open arms of the EPM compared with saline-treated control group(P < 0.05). Moreover, there were no changes in the locomotor activity and myorelaxant effects in any group compared with saline-treated control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that GJD-PPA dramatically possesses the anti-amnestic and cognitive-enhancing activities related to the memory processes, and promotes the anxiolytic-like activity in mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.507-516
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• 2004

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a geriatric dementia that is widespread in old age. In the near future AD will be the commom disease in public health service. Although a variety of oriental presciptions in study POD(Polygala tenuifolia extracted from dichlorometan) have been traditionally utilized for the treatment of AD, their pharmacological effects and action mechanisms have not yet fully elucidated. It has been widely believed that AP peptide divided from APP causes apoptotic neurotoxicity in AD brain. However, recent evidence suggests that CT105, carboxy terminal 105 aminoacids peptide fragment of APP, may be an important factor causing neurotoxicity in AD. SK-N-SH cells expressed with CT105 exhibited remarkable apoptotic cell damage. Based on morphological observations by phase contrast microscope and NO formation in the culture media, the CT105-induced cell death was significantly inhibited by POD. In addition, AD is one of brain degeneration disease. So We studied on herbal medicine that have a relation of brain degeneration. From old times, In Oriental Medicine, PO water extract has been used for disease in relation to brain degeneration. We were examined by ROS formation, neurite outgrowth assay and DPPH scravage assay. Additionally, we investigated the association between the CT105 and neurite degeneration caused by CT105-induced apoptotic response in neurone cells. We studied on the regeneratory and inhibitory effects of anti-Alzheimer disease in pCT105-induced neuroblastoma cell lines by POD. Findings from our experiments have shown that POD inhibits the synthesis or activities of CT105, which has neurotoxityies and apoptotic activities in cell line. In addition, treatment of POD(>50 ㎍/㎖ for 12 hours) partially prevented CT(105)-induced cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cell lines, and were inhibited by the treatment with its. POD(>50 ㎍/㎖ for 12 hours) repaired CT105-induced neurite outgrowth when SK-N-SH cell lines was transfected with CT105. As the result of this study, In POD group, the apoptosis in the nervous system is inhibited, the repair against the degerneration of Neuroblastoma cells by CT105 expression is promoted. Decrease of memory induced by injection of scopolamin into rat was also attenuted by POD, based on passive avoidance test. Taken together, POD exhibited inhibition of CT105-induced apoptotic cell death. POD was found to reduce the activity of AchE and induced about the CA1 in rat hippocampus. Base on these findings, POD may be beneficial for the treatment of AD.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.312-313
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• 2008

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.341-345
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• 2009

Cerebral ischemia results from a transient or permanent reduction in cerebral blood flow that decreases oxygen and glucose supply. When the cellular oxygen supply is reduced to critical level, damage to cells and induction of cell death are occurred by excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation. Ischemia remains one of the leading causes of death, but there is no effective treatment that might protect neurons gainst ischemia by interrupting the cascade of cell death. In this study, human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells are exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by reoxgenation. OGD can mimic the acute restriction of metabolite and oxygen supply caused by ischemia and is widely used as a model of ischemic conditions. SH-SY5Y cells are treated samples at the commencement of OGD to achieve different final concentrations, and cell viabilities were quantified using the measurement of flow cytometry analysis. Of those tested, the extracts of Polygala tenuifolia (roots), Dictamnus dasycarpus (barks), Polygala tenuifolia (roots), Eucommia ulmoides (branches), Eucommia ulmoides (barks), Poria cocos (whole), Sophora flavescens (roots) showed neuroprotective effects, with $EC_{50}$ values of $4.5{\pm}0.6$, $7.9{\pm}1.5$, $10.5{\pm}0.7$, $18.4{\pm}1.9$, $19.6{\pm}0.3$, $21.6{\pm}1.9$, and $30.7{\pm}3.9{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.290-294
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• 2008

The objective of this study is screening the anti-oxidative effects of several plant MeOH extracts against oxidative stress in Neuroblastoma cell. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurotoxicity, neurodegenerative disorders and cell death. This oxidative stress is generated by ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) such as nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, peroxyl, superoxide ($O_2^-$), hydroxyl, alkoxyl. So, in the present study, we induced oxidative stress by treatment of sodium nitroprusside (2.5 mM) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell which was treated samples before 24hr, and cell viability was measured by MTT reduction assay. Of those tested, the extracts of Paeonia japonica (roots), Eucommia ulmoides (炒)(barks), Paeonia japonica (曝乾)(roots), Phyllostachys bambusoides (stems), Polygala tenuifolia (去心, 炒)(roots), Paeonia japonica (roots), Polygala tenuifolia (roots), Machilus thunbergii (barks), Mallotus japonicus (leaves), Poria cocos (whole), Sophora flavescens (roots), Angelica tenuissima (roots), Angelica gigas (當歸尾)(roots) showed anti-oxidative effects[$EC_{50}$<15.20 ${\mu}g$/ml(Carnosine:Positive control)]in dose dependent manner.