• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권6호
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• pp.466-474
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• 2013

Despite the reports on safety concerns regarding the relationship between aluminum salts and neurological and bone disease, many countries continue to use aluminum as phosphate binders among patients with renal failure. In search for a diet supplement that could reduce aluminum toxicity related to renal failure, we carried out this prospective animal study in which the fenugreek seeds were assessed for their effects on rats nephrotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride ($AlCl_3$). Oral $AlCl_3$ administration during 5 months (500 mg/kg bw i.g for one month then 1600 ppm via drinking water) led to plasma biochemical changes, an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a decrease of total antioxidant status (TAS), and an induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the blood and brain, in addition to kidney atrophy and morphological alterations at the level of Bowman's capsule, the glomerulus and different sorts of tubules, reminiscent of some known kidney disease. The treatment with the whole fenugreek seed powder (FSP) (5% in the diet) during the last 2 months showed its effectiveness in restoring normal plasma values of urea, creatinine, ALP and glucose, as well as re-increasing the TAS, inhibiting LPO and alleviating histopathological changes in the injured kidneys. This study highlights the induced nephrotoxicicity, as well as the related toxicity in the brain and bone, by chronic oral ingestion of the aluminum salts. However, the maintenance of a diet supplemented with fenugreek seeds could offer protection for the kidney, bone and brain, at the same time.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.327-337
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• 2023

Objectives: Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by repeated seizures attributable to synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. The study evaluated the effect of acetone extract of Adansonia digitata stem bark (ASBE) on seizure score, cognition, depression, and neurodegeneration as well as the level of Gamma-Aminobutyrate acid (GABA) and glutamate in Pentylenetetrazol-kindled rats. Methods: Thirty-five rats were assigned into five groups (n = 7). Groups 1-2 received normal saline and 35 mg/kg PTZ every other day. Groups 3-4 received 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg ASBE orally while group 5 received 5 mg/kg diazepam daily for twenty-six days. Group 3-5 received PTZ every other day, 30 mins after ASBE and diazepam. Results: The results showed that Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induces seizure, reduces mobility time in force swim test and decreases the normal cell number in the brain. It also significantly decreases (p < 0.05) catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione activities compared to the ASBE pre-treated rats. Pre-treatment with ASBE reportedly decreases seizure activities significantly (p < 0.05) and increases mobility time in the force swim test. ASBE also significantly elevate (p < 0.05) the normal cell number in the hippocampus, temporal lobe, and dentate gyrus. Conclusion: ASBE reduced seizure activity and prevented depression in PTZ-treated rats. It also prevented neurodegeneration by regulating glutamate and GABA levels in the brain as well as preventing lipid peroxidation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.454-459
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• 2004

The present study investigated the effects of gossypin, 3,3',4',5,7,8-hexahydroxyflavone 8-glucoside, on the toxicity induced by oxidative stress or $\beta$-amyloid ($A_{\beta}$) in primary cultured rat cortical cells. The antioxidant properties of gossypin were also evaluated by cell-free assays. Gossypin was found to inhibit the oxidative neuronal damage induced by xanthinelxanthine oxidase or by a glutathione depleting agent, D,L-buthionine (S,R)-sulfoximine. In addition, gossypin significantly attenuated the neurotoxicity induced by $A_{{\beta}(25-35)}$. Furthermore, gossypin dramatically inhibited lipid peroxidation initiated by $Fe^{2+}$ and ascorbic acid in rat brain homogenates. It also exhibited potent radical scavenging activity generated from 1 ,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. These results indicate that gossypin exerts neuroprotective effects in the cultured cortical cells by inhibiting oxidative stress- and $A_{\beta}$-induced toxicity, and that the antioxidant properties of gossypin may contribute to its neuroprotective actions.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.13-25
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• 1999

This study was undertaken to determine whether Juglandis Semen (JAS) extraction exerts protective effect against oxidant-induced inhibition of $Na^+$-pump activity in cerebral cortex. $Na^+$-pump activity was estimated by measuring ouabain-sensitive oxygen consumption. The oxygen consumption significantly inhibited by 1 mM t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP), which was prevented by addition of 2% JAS extraction. The oxygen consumption was increased by an increase in $Na^+$ concentration from 5 to 100mM, $K^+$ concentration from 0.5 to 10 mM, and $Mg^{++}$ concentration from 0.2 to 5 mM. These changes in ion concentrations did not affect the inhibitory effct of tBHP and protective action of JAS on oxygen consumption. tBHP(1mM) produced a significant increase in lipid peroxidation in cerebral cortex, which was prevented by 2% JAS extraction. These result suggest that JAS exerts protective effect against tBHP-induced inhibition of $Na^+$-pump activity in the cerebral cortex, this effect may be due to by an antioxidant action.

• 한국연초학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.56-61
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• 2013

Bryonia alba L. belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and grows in Europe, Asia, America, Africa, Russia, Ukraina and Armenia. The root of Bryonia alba has been used for neuropsychical diseases, psychosis, hysteria, paralysis, epilepsy, vertigo, headache, migrain, melancholia, forgetfulness, sadness, absent mindedness, delirium, cardiovascular disease, ischemia, gastrointestinal diseases, gastric ulcer and respiratory diseases. The root of Bryonia alba contains an oxidized tetra cyclic triterpens, cucurbitaceous, polyunsaturated hydrocarbons, phospholipids, phosphatidylcholines, ethereal oils, fatty acids, a great amount of amino acids, alcohol soluble enzymes, sugar, carotene, vitamin C and E. Bryonia alba increases coronary blood-flow and the amplitude of cardiac contractions. Bryonia alba has an antistressor action and increases the working capacity. Bryonia alba activates connective tissue cells. Bryonia alba markedly increases the oxygen consumption by young and senescent rat brain, liver as well as heart mitochondrial fraction as Korean Ginseng. Bryonia alba decreases lipid peroxidation after immobilization stress. In conclusion, Bryonia alba like Ginseng used in traditional medicine came from ancient time has a good perspective administration as prophylactic and medical remedy, as remedy of lot of diseases in modern medicine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권11호
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• pp.1333-1341
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• 2009

Haematococcus pluvial is, a green alga, accumulates astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-$\beta$,$\beta$'-carotene-4,4'-dione) upto 2-3% on a dry weight basis. In the present study, identification of carotenoids from Haematococcus cyst cell extract by HPLC and LC-MS (APCI) and their antioxidant properties were evaluated in in vitro model systems. The extract exhibited 89% and 78% antioxidant activities in the $\beta$-carotene linoleate model and the hydroxyl radical scavenging model, at 9 ppm of total carotenoid, respectively. The extract also showed 80%, 85%, and 79% antioxidant activities against lipid peroxidation in the kidney, brain, and liver of rats. Low-density lipoprotein oxidation induced by $Cu^{2+}$ ions was also protected (45%, 64%, and 75%) by the extract in a dose-dependent manner with different carotenoid levels. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration in the blood, liver, and kidney of rats were also significantly (p<0.005) decreased in H. pluvialis-treated rats. The potent antioxidant activity is attributable to various carotenoids present in the extract.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.138-144
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• 2004

Therapeutic effect of a Kampo medicine, Choto-san, in patients with vascular dementia was demonstrated by a double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial. To clarify the therapeutic efficacy of Choto-san, anti-ischemic effect in mice, hypotensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), anti-oxidative effects in vitro, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-blocking activity using Xenopus oocytes were studied. (1) Pretreatment with Choto-san (0.75-6.O g/kg, P.O.) or a component herb Chotoko (Uncaria genus: 75 - 600 mg/kg, P.O.) prevented ischemia-induced impairment of spatial learning behaviour in mice. Indole alkaloids- and phenolic fractions extracted from Chotoko also improved significantly the learning deficit. (2) Subchronic administration of Choto-san (0.5 g/kg, p.o.) caused a significant hypotensive effects in SHR. (3) Choto-san, Chotoko, and the phenolic constituent, (-) epicatechin, significantly protected the NG108-15 cell injury induced by $H_20_2$ exposure in vitro and also inhibited lipid peroxidation in the brain homogenate. (4) Indole alkaloids, rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline (1-100 uM), reversibly reduced NMDA-induced current in the receptor-expressed Xenopus oocytes. These results suggest that anti-vascular dementia effects of Choto-san are mainly due to the effect of Chotoko. From these results, it is possible to make a novel dietary supplement through several extraction steps from Chotoko.

• 약학회지
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.185-191
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• 2002

Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves neuronal degeneration with impaired cholinergic transmission, particularly in areas of the brain associated with learning and memory. Several cholinesterase inhibitors are widely prescribed to ameliorate the cognitive deficits in AD patients. In an attempt to examine if tacrine and donepezil, two well-known cholinesterase inhibitors, exhibit additional pharmacological actions in primary cultured rat cortical cells, we investigated the effects on neuronal injuries induced by glutamate or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), $\beta$-amyloid fragment ( $A_{{beta}25-35)}$), and various oxidative insults. Both tacrine and donepezil did not significantly inhibit the excitotoxic neuronal damage induced by glutamate. However, tacrine inhibited the toxicity induced by NMDA in a concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, tacrine significantly inhibited the $A_{{beta}25-35)}$-induced neuronal injury at the concentration of 50 $\mu$M. In contrast, donepezil did not reduce the NMDA- nor $A_{{beta}25-35)}$-induced neuronal injury. Tacrine and donepezil had no effects on oxidative neuronal injuries in cultures nor on lipid peroxidation in vitro. These results suggest that, in addition to its anticholinesterase activity, the neuroprotective effects by tacrine against the NMDA- and $A_{{beta}25-35)$-induced toxicity may be beneficial for the treatment of AD. In contrast, the potent and selective inhibition of central acetylcholinesterase appears to be the major action mechanism of donepezil.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권8호
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• pp.699-706
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• 2006

The present study evaluated antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of hesperidin, a flavanone mainly isolated from citrus fruits, and its aglycone hesperetin using cell-free bioassay system and primary cultured rat cortical cells. Both hesperidin and hesperetin exhibited similar patterns of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities. While hesperidin was inactive, hesperetin was found to be a potent antioxidant, inhibiting lipid peroxidation initiated in rat brain homogenates by $Fe^{2+}$ and L-ascorbic acid. In consistence with these findings, hesperetin protected primary cultured cortical cells against the oxidative neuronal damage induced by $H_2O_2$ or xanthine and xanthine oxidase. In addition, it was shown to attenuate the excitotoxic neuronal damage induced by excess glutamate in the cortical cultures. When the excitotoxicity was induced by the glutamate receptor subtype-selective ligands, only the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced toxicity was selectively and markedly inhibited by hesperetin. Furthermore, hesperetin protected cultured cells against the $A_{{\beta}(25-35)}-induced$ neuronal damage. Hesperidin, however, exerted minimal or no protective effects on the neuronal damage tested in this study. Taken together, these results demonstrate potent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of hesperetin, implying its potential role in protecting neurons against various types of insults associated with many neurodegenerative diseases.

• 약학회지
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.369-375
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• 2003

Xiaoshuan Zaizao Wan (XZW) has been used in China to improve hemiplegia, deviation of eye and mouth, and dysphasia due to cerebral thrombosis. To characterize pharmacological actions of XZW, we evaluated its effects on neuronal cell damage induced in primary cultured rat cortical cells by various oxidative insults, glutamate or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and $\beta$-amyloid fragment ($A_{\beta(25-35)}$). XZW was found to inhibit the oxidative neuronal damage induced by $H_2O_2$, xanthine/xanthine oxidase, or $Fe^{2+}$/ascorbic acid. It also attenuated the excitotoxic damage induced by glutamate or NMDA. The NMDA-induced neurotoxicity was more effectively inhibited than the glutamate-induced toxicity. In addition, we found that XZW protected neurons against the $A_{\beta(25-35)}$-induced toxicity. Moreover; XZW exhibited dramatic inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates and mild 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. Taken together; these results demonstrate that XZW exerts neuroprotective effects against oxidative, excitotoxic, or $A_{\beta(25-35)}$-induced neuronal damage. These findings may provide pharmacological basis for its clinical usage treating the sequelae caused by cerebral thrombosis. Furthermore, XZW may exert beneficial effects on Alzheimer's disease and other oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative disorders.