• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the neuroprotective effect of wheat bran extract (WBE) against ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$)-induced apoptotic cell death in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and memory impairment in triple transgenic animal model's of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg AD mice). Methods : In SH-SY5Y cells, MTT assay and TUNEL staining were conducted to evaluate the protective effect of WBE against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis. Alterations in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP), expression of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, cleavage of PARP, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were analyzed to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism of WBE. To further investigate the memory enhancing effect of WBE, Morris water maze test was performed in 3xTg AD mice. Results : In SH-SY5Y cells, WBE protected against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-caused cytotoxicity and apoptosis as shown by the restoration of cell viability in MTT assay and inhibition of DNA fragmentation in TUNEL staining. $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic signals such as dissipation of MMP, decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and cleavage of PARP were suppressed by WBE. Moreover, WBE up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF, which seemed to be mediated by activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). In 3xTg AD mice, oral administration of WBE attenuated learning and memory deficit as verified by reduced mean escape latency in water maze test. Conclusions : WBE protects neuronal cells from $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic cell death and restores learning and memory impairments in 3xTg AD mice. These findings suggest that WBE exhibit neuroprotective potential for the management of AD.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.305-310
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• 2018

Microglia are emerging as critical regulators of innate immune responses in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting the importance of understanding their molecular and cellular mechanisms. We attempted to determine the role of crosstalk signaling between $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TGF-{\beta}$ in $A{\beta}$ clearance by microglia cells. We used in vitro and in vivo mouse models that recapitulated acute and chronic aspects of microglial responses to $A{\beta}$ peptides. We showed that crosstalk signaling between $TGF-{\beta}$ and Smad2 was an important mediator of neuro-inflammation. These findings suggest that microglial $TGF-{\beta}$ activity enhances the pathological progression to AD. As $TGF-{\beta}$ displays broad regulatory effects on beneficial microglial functions, the activation of inflammatory crosstalk signaling between $TGF-{\beta}$ and Smad2 may be a promising strategy to restore microglial functions, halt the progression of $A{\beta}$-driven pathology, and prevent AD development.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.55-64
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• 2017

Progressive memory impairment such as that associated with depression, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) can interfere with daily life. In particular, AD, which is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, prominently features a memory and learning impairment that is related to changes in acetylcholine and abnormal ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$) deposition in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dehydroevodiamine HCl (DHED) on cognitive improvement and the related mechanism in memory-impaired rat models, namely, a scopolamine-induced amnesia model and a $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-infused model. The cognitive effects of DHED were measured using a water maze test and a passive avoidance test in the memory-impaired rat models. The results demonstrate that DHED (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and Donepezil (1 mg/kg, p.o.) ameliorated the spatial memory impairment in the scopolamine-induced amnestic rats. Moreover, DHED significantly improved learning and memory in the $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-infused rat model. Furthermore, the mechanism of these behavioral effects of DHED was investigated using a cell viability assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement, and intracellular calcium measurement in primary cortical neurons. DHED reduced neurotoxicity and the production of $A{\beta}$-induced ROS in primary cortical neurons. In addition, similar to the effect of MK801, DHED decreased intracellular calcium levels in primary cortical neurons. Our results suggest that DHED has strong protective effects against cognitive impairments through its antioxidant activity and inhibition of neurotoxicity and intracellular calcium. Thus, DHED may be an important therapeutic agent for memory-impaired symptoms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.205-211
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• 2007

The fruits and stems of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten have been reported to exhibit a variety of pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer effects. In the present study, we evaluated effects of the butanol fraction (SK OFB901) prepared from the 50% ethanol extract of the stems on various types of neuronal injuries induced by oxidative stress, excitotoxins, and amyloid ${\beta}\;(A_{\beta})$ in primary cultured rat cortical cells. Its antioxidant and radical scavenging activities were also evaluated by cell-free bioassays. We found that SK OFB901 strongly inhibited the oxidative neuronal damage induced by $H_2O_2$ or xanthine/xanthine oxidase. In addition, it exhibited marked inhibition of the excitotoxic neuronal damage induced by glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid, or kainate. Furthermore, the $A_{\beta(25-35)}$-induced neurotoxicity was also significantly attenuated by SK OFB901. It was found to inhibit lipid peroxidation initiated by $Fe^{2+}$ and L-ascorbic acid in rat brain homogenates and scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals. These results indicate that the butanol fraction prepared from the stems of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten exerts potent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, implying its potential applications for the prevention or management of neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and $A{\beta}$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.483-491
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• 2019

Cordycepin exerts neuroprotective effects against excitotoxic neuronal death. However, its direct electrophysiological evidence in Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the protective effect of cordycepin against the excitotoxic neuronal insult in AD using whole-cell patch clamp techniques. ${\beta}$-Amyloid ($A{\beta}$) and ibotenic acid (IBO)-induced injury model in cultured hippocampal neurons was used for the purpose. The results revealed that cordycepin significantly delayed $A{\beta}$ + IBO-induced excessive neuronal membrane depolarization. It increased the onset time/latency, extended the duration, and reduced the slope in both slow and rapid depolarization. Additionally, cordycepin reversed the neuronal hyperactivity in $A{\beta}$ + IBO-induced evoked action potential (AP) firing, including increase in repetitive firing frequency, shortening of evoked AP latency, decrease in the amplitude of fast afterhyperpolarization, and increase in membrane depolarization. Further, the suppressive effect of cordycepin against $A{\beta}$ + IBO-induced excessive neuronal membrane depolarization and neuronal hyperactivity was blocked by DPCPX (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, an adenosine $A_1$ receptor-specific blocker). Collectively, these results revealed the suppressive effect of cordycepin against the $A{\beta}$ + IBO-induced excitotoxic neuronal insult by attenuating excessive neuronal activity and membrane depolarization, and the mechanism through the activation of $A_1R$ is strongly recommended, thus highlighting the therapeutic potential of cordycepin in AD.

• 센서학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.319-323
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• 2012

In this paper, we present the possibility of quantification analysis for $A{\beta}$ captured by micro beads using Near-filed detection. In order to evaluate detection efficiency, detected signals were compared with different sizes of micro beads and a varied number of micro beads. Also, $A{\beta}$ deposits and $A{\beta}$ binding to micro beads were measured, therefore, we observed the $A{\beta}$ deposit and light scattering around the surface of micro beads induced by attached $A{\beta}$. This method can be used for quantitative analysis for not only the number of $A{\beta}$, but also the binding ratio of $A{\beta}$ to micro beads.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제27권9호
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• pp.954-960
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• 2004

Expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes responsible for inflammation, such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), contributes to chronic inflammation which is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer＇s disease). Although NF-$textsc{k}$B plays a biphasic role in different cells like neurons and microglia, controlling the activation of NF-$textsc{k}$B is important for its negative feedback in either activation or inactivation. In this study, we found that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) inhibited I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$ degradation to block expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes in microglia when activated by $\beta$-amyloid peptide (A$\beta$). We also showed that when microglia is activated by $A\beta$42, the expression of A20 is suppressed. These findings place A20 in the category of ' protective ' genes, protecting cells from pro-inflammatory reper-toires induced in response to inflammatory stimuli in activated microglia via NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. In light of the gene and proteins for NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent gene and inactivator for NF-$textsc{k}$B (I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$), the observations now reported suggest that UDCA plays a role in supporting the attenuation of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Moreover, an NF-$textsc{k}$B inhibitor such as A20 can collaborate and at least enhance the anti-inflammatory effect in microglia, thus giving a potent benefit for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.uch as AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.176-183
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• 2014

Cognitive impairment is a result of dementia of diverse causes, such as cholinergic dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae) has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine. It has biological activities including protective effects against amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$) toxicity, via regulation of calcium homeostasis, in rat hippocampal cells. To extend previous reports, we investigated the effects of water extracts of H. cordata herb (HCW) on tauopathies, also involving calcium influx. We then confirmed the effects of HCW in improving memory impairment and neuronal damage in mice with Ab-induced neurotoxicity. We also investigated the effects of HCW against scopolamine-induced cholinergic dysfunction in mice. In primary neuronal cells, HCW inhibited the phosphorylation of tau by regulating p25/p35 expression in $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity. In mice with $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity, HCW improved cognitive impairment, as assessed with behavioral tasks, such as novel object recognition, Y-maze, and passive avoidance tasks. HCW also inhibited the degeneration of neurons in the CA3 region of the hippocampus in Ab-induced neurotoxicity. Moreover, HCW, which had an $IC_{50}$ value of $79.7{\mu}g/ml$ for acetylcholinesterase inhibition, ameliorated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment significantly in Y-maze and passive avoidance tasks. These results indicate that HCW improved cognitive impairment, due to cholinergic dysfunction, with inhibitory effects against tauopathies and cholinergic antagonists, suggesting that HCW may be an interesting candidate to investigate for the treatment of AD.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.431-436
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• 2008

The impact of storage on the neuroprotective effects against $A\beta$-induced cell death and physicochemical characteristics of milk fortified with BF-7 were investigated. The BF-7 milk exerted protection of neuronal cells SK-N-SH from amyloid beta ($A\beta$)-induced neuronal stress. Our results showed that incubation of the cell with pretreated BF-7 milk, significantly attenuated apoptotic stress by $A\beta$, considered in cell morphology and nucleus shape. The general compositions were maintained consistently in BF-7 fortified milk (BF-7 milk). The BF-7 did not make any disturbance on pH and titratable acidity. The color change was not detected, either. Also, any microorganism had not been detected with more than 7 days storage at $4^{\circ}C$. In sensory evaluation study. the average scores of each sensory attribute were quite similar with plain milk. In conclusion, our results strongly indicate that BF-7 characteristics are quite adequate to be included in milk and BF-7 milk is still working well on neuro-protection, result in enforcing our brain and delaying neurodegeneration.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2019

Objectives : It has been known to be correlated between phlegm and dementia from the perspective of oriental medicine, but it is unexplored whether herbal medicines to treat phlegm have pharmacological actions on Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare effects of herbal medicines to treat phlegm against AD in vitro. Methods : We selected 11 herbal medicines which treat phlegm and obtained each extract by boiling in 10-fold distilled water for 2 h. And we performed the assay of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effects of 11 herbal extracts. Next, we evaluated neuroprotective effects of them against amyloid $beta_{25-35}$ ($A{\beta}_{25-35}$) plaque-induced toxicity in HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. To investigate whether they show the anti-inflammatory effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we also measured the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in BV2 microglia cells using griess reagent assay. Results : We found that Gamiyeongsin-hwan (GYH) and Cheonghunhwadam-tang (CHT) exhibited remarkable AChE inhibitory effects. In HT22 cells, Arisaematis Rhizoma, Trichosanthis Semen and Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus suppressed $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ plaque-induced neuronal cell death. In BV2 cells, Cheongung-hwan significantly inhibited the increase of NO contents induced by LPS and GYH and CHT showed a tendency to inhibit LPS-induced NO generation. Conclusions : These results suggest that several herbal medicines to treat phlegm showed the significant effects on AChE inhibition, neuroprotection against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ plaque-induced toxicity, and inhibition of NO generation. Therefore, we demonstrate the possibility that herbal medicines with treating phlegm has effects against AD.