• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.301-308
• /
• 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques composed of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ). Studies have indicated that Ca²⁺ dysregulation is involved in AD pathology. It is reported that decreased capacitative Ca²⁺ entry (CCE), a refilling mechanism of intracellular Ca²⁺, resulting in increased Aβ production. In contrast, constitutive activation of CCE could decrease Aβ production. Panax ginseng Meyer is known to enhance memory and cognitive functions in healthy human subjects. We have previously reported that some ginsenosides decrease Aβ levels in cultured primary neurons and AD mouse model brains. However, mechanisms involved in the Aβ-lowering effect of ginsenosides remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between CCE and Aβ production by examining the effects of various ginsenosides on CCE levels. Aβ-lowering ginsenosides such as Rk1, Rg5, and Rg3 potentiated CCE. In contrast, ginsenosides without Aβ-lowering effects (Re and Rb2) failed to potentiate CCE. The potentiating effect of ginsenosides on CCE was inhibited by the presence of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB), an inhibitor of CCE. 2APB alone increased Aβ42 production. Furthermore, the presence of 2APB prevented the effects of ginsenosides on Aβ42 production. Our results indicate that ginsenosides decrease Aβ production via potentiating CCE levels, confirming a close relationship between CCE levels and Aβ production. Since CCE levels are closely related to Aβ production, modulating CCE could be a novel target for AD therapeutics.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제51권6호
• /
• pp.463-468
• /
• 2007

Chong Myung Tang is consisted of three medicinal herbs (Acori Graminei Rhizoma, Polygalae Radix and Hoelen cum Radix). It has been used as a medicine for the purpose of learning and memory improvement. In this paper, Chong Myung Tang was screened the biological activities for Alzheimer's disease. The extract (70% ethanol) of Acari Graminei Rhizoma (1 mg/ml) showed that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$) peptide aggregation inhibitory potency are 43.1% and 76.5%, respectively. The extract of Polygalae Radix showed inhibitory activity against $A{\beta}_{1-42}$ peptide aggregation (51.5%). To predict the drug-likeness, oral absorption ability; blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetraion rate, mutagenecity and carcinogenicity; in silico screening was performed against 16 compounds in the three medicinal herbs. According to the results, all compounds have appropriate chemical structures as medicines. The six compounds in Acori Graminei Rhizoma and the five compounds in Hoelen cum Radix showed excellent oral absorption rate and BBB penetration rate. The four compounds in Polygalae Radix showed excellent oral absorption rate, but their BBB penetration was presented low rate. And, the extract of Hoelen cum Radix didn't show AChE and $A{\beta}_{1-42}$ peptide aggregation inhibitory activities in vitro. Therefore, their activity in brain may be other mechanism. According to all of the results, in silico prediction technology is convenient and effective to determine biological active compounds in medicinal herbs.

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

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제53권2호
• /
• pp.102-110
• /
• 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, and the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain triggers AD, followed by hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, neurofibrillary tangles, and synapses loss, neuronal cell death, and cognitive decline occur in a chain. In APPswe neuronal cell line, 50 ㎍/ml of Campbell early (Vitis labruscana B.) leaves 50% ethanol extract (VLL) treatment inhibited the secretion of Aβ1-42 by about 63% and the secretion of Aβ1-40 by about 50%. VLL did not target the enzymatic activity of the amyloidogenic pathway and decreased the protein expression of APP. As a result of RT-qPCR (Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR) of the APPswe cell line treated with VLL, it is thought that the protein expression of APP was reduced by inhibiting the transcription process of the APP gene. In addition, VLL inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity in vitro by 27.6% and 54.7%, respectively, at 50 and 100 ㎍/ml concentrations. We found that VLL inhibited the production of Aβ, a dementia-inducing substance, by suppressing the transcription of the APP gene, and that VLL inhibited AChE activity. We suggest that VLL has the potential as a natural drug material that modulates the alleviation of dementia symptoms.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제24권4호
• /
• pp.299-310
• /
• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multi-faceted neurodegenerative disease. Thus, current therapeutic strategies require multitarget-drug combinations to treat or prevent the disease. At the present time, single drugs have proven to be inadequate in terms of addressing the multifactorial pathology of AD, and multitarget-directed drug design has not been successful. Based on these points of views, it is judged that combinatorial drug therapies that target several pathogenic factors may offer more attractive therapeutic options. Thus, we explored that the combination therapy with lower doses of cilostazol and aripiprazole with add-on donepezil (CAD) might have potential in the pathogenesis of AD. In the present study, we found the superior efficacies of donepezil add-on with combinatorial mixture of cilostazol plus aripiprazole in modulation of expression of AD-relevant genes: Aβ accumulation, GSK-3β, P300, acetylated tau, phosphorylated-tau levels, and activation of α-secretase/ADAM 10 through SIRT1 activation in the N2a Swe cells expressing human APP Swedish mutation (N2a Swe cells). We also assessed that CAD synergistically raised acetylcholine release and choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) expression that were declined by increased β-amyloid level in the activated N2a Swe cells. Consequently, CAD treatment synergistically increased neurite elongation and improved cell viability through activations of PI3K, BDNF, β-catenin and α7-nicotinic cholinergic receptors in neuronal cells in the presence of Aβ_1-42. This work endorses the possibility for efficient treatment of AD by supporting the synergistic therapeutic potential of donepezil add-on therapy in combination with lower doses of cilostazol and aripiprazole.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제20권3호
• /
• pp.444-452
• /
• 2010

본 연구의 목적은 PS-2 (N141I) 알츠하이머 형질전환 모델 생쥐를 대상으로 트레드밀 운동이 뇌의 세포질과 미토콘드리아의 $A{\beta}$-42, cytochrome c, SOD-1, 2 and Sirt-3 단백질 발현에 미치는 효과를 알아보는데 있다. 우선 알츠하이머 형질전환 생쥐를 Non-Tg-sedentary (n=5), Non-Tg-treadmill exercise (n=5) 집단과 Tg-sedentary (n=5), Tg-treadmill exercise (n=5) 집단으로 구분하고 트레드밀 운동을 통한 신경보호 효과를 검증하기 위해 Tg와 Non-Tg집단에 12주간 트레드밀 운동을 수행한 후 인지능력을 살펴보고 뇌의 세포질과 미토콘드리아의 $A{\beta}$-42, cytochrome c, anti-oxidant enzymes (SOD-1, SOD-2)와 Sirt-3 단백질을 분석하였다. 먼저 트레드밀운동은 Tg 집단에서 인지능력의 개선을 나타냈으며 미토콘드리아의 $A{\beta}$-42와 세포질의 cytochrome c 단백질의 감소와 항산화 효소인 SOD-1, SOD-2를 유의하게 증가시켰다. 게다가 트레드밀 운동은 모든 집단에서 Sirt-3 단백질의 발현을 증가시켰다. 따라서 트레드밀 운동은 인지능력의 향상과 세포 내 스트레스를 유발하는 $A{\beta}$-42를 억제시켜 알츠하이머 질환을 개선시킬 수 있는 효과적인 방법이라고 생각된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제32권9호
• /
• pp.1154-1167
• /
• 2022

In this study, we investigated the anti-amnesic effect of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) bark extract (KRPBE) against amyloid beta_1-42 (Aβ_1-42)-induced neurotoxicity. We found that treatment with KRPBE improved the behavioral function in Aβ-induced mice, and also boosted the antioxidant system in mice by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and reducing glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, KRPBE improved the cholinergic system by suppressing reduced acetylcholine (ACh) content while also activating acetylcholinesterase (AChE), regulating the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin. KRPBE also showed an ameliorating effect on cerebral mitochondrial deficit by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP levels. Moreover, KRPBE modulated the expression levels of neurotoxicity indicators Aβ and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, p-IκB-α, and IL-1β. Furthermore, we found that KRPBE improved the expression levels of neuronal apoptosis-related markers BAX and BCl-2 and increased the expression levels of BDNF and p-CREB. Therefore, this study suggests that KRPBE treatment has an anti-amnestic effect by modulating cholinergic system dysfunction and neuroinflammation in Aβ_1-42-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제18권6호
• /
• pp.796-803
• /
• 2008

알츠하이머 질환은 신경퇴행성질환으로 노령인구에서 뿐만 아니라 $30{\sim}60$세 사이에서도 상염색체성우성형으로 발생하여 사회문제로 대두되고 있으며 발병기전도 명확하게 규명되지 않은 상태이다. 따라서 이 연구에서는 hAPP695sw 돌연변이를 neuron-specific enolase (NSE) 유전자의 프로모터 조절 하에 연결시킨 융합 유전자(pNSE/APP695sw fusion gene)를 과 발현시킨 알츠하이머 질환 모델생쥐를 대상으로 16주간 지구성 운동에 따른 알츠하이머 질환 모델생쥐의 인지능력의 변화와 주병변인 $A{\beta}-42$ 단백질과 함께 GLUT-1, BDNF, HSP-70 단백질의 발현량을 분석하였다. 그 결과 지구성 운동은 APPsw 알츠하이머 질환 모델생쥐의 인지능력을 개선시키는데 긍정적인 영향을 미친 것으로 나타났으며 이러한 인지능력의 개선은 알츠하이머 질환의 주 병변인 뇌의 $A{\beta}-42$ 감소뿐만 아니라 BDNF, GLUT-1과 HSP-70 단백질의 발현 증가와 관련이 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 지구성 운동은 약물 처치 이외에 알츠하이머 질환을 예방하거나 지연시킬 수 있는 전략적인 방법으로 활용할 수 있음을 알 수 있다.

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

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.595-599
• /
• 2013

알츠하이머병은 신경세포가 점차적으로 퇴화되는 질환으로 특히 해마와 기저쪽 앞뇌의 뇌조직이 위축되어 점진적으로 기억력을 잃어간다. 본 연구는 scopolamine(1 mg/kg, 7일 동안 1일 1회)으로 유발된 수컷 Sprague-Dawley 흰쥐 해마의 신경독성에 대한 천마 물 추출액의 효과를 규명하기 위하여 수행하였다. 실험동물(n=25)은 5군으로 나누었으며, 각 군마다 5마리씩 사용하였다. 실험군은 생리식염수를 투여한 정상군(Nor), scopolamine으로 유발한 다음 생리식염수를 20일(C-20)과 30일(C-30) 동안 투여한 대조군, scopolamine으로 유발한 다음 천마 추출액(200 mg/kg)을 20일(G-20)과 30일(G-30) 동안 투여한 실험군으로 구분하였다. 광학현미경으로 관찰한 결과 해마의 신경세포 핵은 G-20과 G-30에 비하여 C-20과 C-30에서 보다 응축되었거나 위축되어 있었다. 해마의 CA1과 CA3의 세포밀도를 조사한 결과 실험군이 대조군보다 높게 나타났다. 해마 주변의 뇌세포를 PAS로 염색한 결과 amyloid ${\beta}$ 단백질을 함유한 PAS-양성물질이 대조군에 비하여 실험군에서 감소하였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 천마 물추출액은 scopolamine으로 유발된 신경 독성을 개선하는 효과가 있는 것으로 사료되었다.