• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.8
• /
• pp.734-740
• /
• 2015

Recent studies report that a history of antidepressant use is strongly correlated with the occurrence of Parkinson' disease (PD). However, it remains unclear whether antidepressant use can be a causative factor for PD. In the present study, we examined whether tricyclic antidepressants amitriptyline and desipramine can induce dopaminergic cell damage, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that amitriptyline and desipramine induced mitochondria-mediated neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. When injected into mice on a subchronic schedule, amitriptyline induced movement deficits in the pole test, which is known to detect nigrostriatal dysfunction. In addition, the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta was reduced in amitriptyline-injected mice. Our results suggest that amitriptyline and desipramine may induce PD-associated neurotoxicity.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2020

During dental treatment, a dentist usually applies the local anesthesia. Therefore, all dentists should have expertise in local anesthesia and anesthetics. Local anesthetics have a neurotoxic effect at clinically relevant concentrations. Many studies have investigated the mechanism of neurotoxicity of local anesthetics but the precise mechanism of local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity is still unclear. In addition, it is difficult to demonstrate the direct neurotoxic effect of local anesthetics because perioperative nerve damage is influenced by various factors, such as the anesthetic, the patient, and surgical risk factors. This review summarizes knowledge about the pharmacology of local anesthetics, nerve anatomy, and the incidence, risk factors, and possible cellular mechanisms of local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.427-433
• /
• 1998

In brain hypoxic-ischemia, an excess release of glutamate and a marked production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occur in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. The present study investigated the effect of the biological antioxidants dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) and lipoic acid (LA) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)- and ROS-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cortical neurons. DHLA enhanced NMDA-evoked rises in intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$). In contrast, LA did not alter the NMDA-evoked calcium responses but decreased after a brief treatment of dithiothreitol (DTT), which possesses a strong reducing potential. Despite the modulation of NMDA receptor-mediated rises in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, neither DHLA nor LA altered the NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity, as assessed by measuring the amount of lactate dehydrogenase released from dead or injured cells. DHLA, but not LA, prevented the neurotoxicity induced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase-generated superoxide radicals. Both DHLA and LA decreased the glutathione depletion-induced neurotoxicity. The present data may indicate that biological antioxidants DHLA and LA protect neurons from ischemic injuries via scavenging oxygen free radicals rather than modulating the redox modulatory site(s) of NMDA receptor.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.288-295
• /
• 2011

Amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$)-induced neurotoxicity is a major pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of L-theanine, a component of green tea (Camellia sinensis) on $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative damages of macromolecules. L-theanine inhibited $A{\beta}_{1-42}$-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogenic activated protein kinase as well as the activity of nuclear factor kappa-B. L-theanine also signifi cantly reduced oxidative protein and lipid damage, and elevated glutathione level. Consistent with the reduced neurotoxic signals, L-theanine (10-50 ${\mu}g$/ml) concomitantly attenuated $A{\beta}_{1-42}$ (5 ${\mu}M$)-induced neurotoxicity in SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. These data indicate that L-theanine on $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity prevented oxidative damages of neuronal cells, and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease like AD.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.275-282
• /
• 2006

In previous our studies, we have reported that eugenol derived from Eugenia caryophyllata(Myrtaceace) exhibits acute N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)- and oxygen/glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity in primary cortical cultures and protects hippocampal neurons from global ischemia. In this study, we investigated whether the extracts and fractions of E. caryophyllata or eugenol shows the neuroprotective effects against delayed neuronal injury evoked by NMDA or ${\alpha}$-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole propionate(AMPA), and oxidative damage induced by arachidonic acid-, hydrogen peroxide-, $FeCl_2$/ascorbic acid-, and buthionine sulfoximine(BSO) in primary cortical cultures. We examined the neurotoxicity of eugenol itself in cultures and inhibitory effect of eugenol on NMDA- or kainate(KA)-induced convulsion in BALB/c mice. Each water, methanol extract and methanol fraction of E. caryophyllata was significantly attenuated NMDA-induced delayed neurotoxicity, respectively. Eugenol exhibited a significant inhibitory action against the convulsion evoked by NMDA and KA, and reduced delayed or brief neurotoxicity induced by NMDA, AMPA, and various oxidative injuries. These results suggest that eugenol derived from E. caryophyllata may contribute the neuroprotection against delayed-type excitotoxicity and excitotoxins-mediated convulsion through the amelioration of oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.1-20
• /
• 2013

This research observed the interrelations between the active components found specifically in red ginseng and fermented red ginseng from among the variety of ginseng variations and the protective effect and anti-oxidant effect exercised on brain cells in the animal model for MPTP-induced neurotoxic Parkinson's Disease and obtained the following conclusions. The results above comprehensively demonstrated that the fermented red ginseng extract exercised greater protective effects against oxidant brain damage by MPTP when compared to the group administered with the red ginseng extract. This was induced an increase in TH protein expression, and further raised the efficiency of the anti-oxidant enzyme defensive system against neurotoxicity, thereby restraining the lipid peroxidation caused by the active oxygen generated during the course of MPTP metabolism and enhancing the body's defensive capacities in response to tissue damage, thereby demonstrating a protective effect against MPTP induced neurotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.235-244
• /
• 2019

This study examined the neurotoxicity of aluminum sulfate (AS), an environmental pollutant, and the protective effect of Phrymaleptostachya var. asiatica HARA (PLVAH) extract on the neurotoxicity induced by AS in the cultured C6 glioma cells. For this study, the cell viability and antioxidative effects, such as electron donating (ED) activity, lipid peroxidation (LP) activity, and superoxide anion-radical (SAR) scavenging activity, were analyzed. AS decreased the cell viability significantly in a dose-dependent manner and the $XTT_{50}$ value was measured at $120.0{\mu}M$ of AS. The neurotoxicity of AS was determined to be mid-toxic by Borenfreund and Puerner's toxic criteria. In addition, the catalase (CAT), antioxidant enzyme remarkably increased the cell viability injured by AS-induced neurotoxicity in these cultures. Regarding the protective effect of the PLVAH extract on AS-induced neurotoxicity, PLVAH extract significantly increased the ED ability, and the inhibitory ability of the LP and SAR scavenging ability. These findings suggest that oxidative stress is involved in the cytotoxicity of AS, and the PLVAH extract effectively protected against AS-induced neurotoxicity by its antioxidative effects. Natural resources, such as the PLVAH extract may be a putative therapeutic agent for the treatment of the toxicity induced by heavy metallic compounds, such as AS correlated with the oxidative stress.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 2005.11a
• /
• pp.41-63
• /
• 2005

Ginseng has been useful for the treatment of diverse disease in oriental countries for thousands of years. In addition, a folk medicine prescribed by seven herbal drugs including Panax ginseng has been antinarcotics in the treatment of morphine-dependent patients. Many articles have been reported on these works. Therefore, we review the protective effects of Panax ginseng on the neurotoxicity induced by abuse drugs. Ginseng total saponins (GTS) extracted and isolated by Panax ginseng antagonized morphine-induced analgesia, and inhibited the development of analgesic tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine. CTS inhibited morphine-6 dehydrogenase, which catalyzes production of mophinone from morphine, and increased hepatic glutathione level responsible to toxicity. Therefore, wehypothesized that these dual actions of ginseng can be associated with the detoxication of morphine. In addition, the inhibitory or facilitated effects of GTS on electrically evoked contraction in guinea pig ileum (${\mu}$-receptors) and mouse vas deferens(${\delta}$-receptors) were not mediated through opioid receptors, suggesting non-opioid mechanisms. On the hand, antagonism of U-50,488H (${\kappa}$-agonist)-induced antinociception is mediated by serotonergic mechanisms. GTS also inhibited hyperactivity, reverse tolerance (sensitization) and conditioned place preference-induced by psychostimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine and morphine. On the other hand, GTS reduced the dopamine levels induced by methamphetamine. Moreover, GTS blocked the development of dopamine receptor activation, showing antidopaminergic effect. We suggest that GTS prevent the methamphetamine-induced striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In addition, Ginsenoside also attenuates morphine-induced CAMP signaling pathway. These results suggested that GTS might be useful for the therapy of the adverse actions of drugs with abuse liability.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.262-266
• /
• 2002

In order to elucidate the mechanism of cytotoxic effect of oxygen radicals on cultured mouse spinal motor neurons, the neurotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂) was evaluated by MTT assay. The neuroprotective effect of Rhizoma Gastrodiae(RG) against H₂O₂-mediated neurotoxicity was also examined in these cultures by SRB assay. The results were as follows : The value of lethal concentration 50(LC50) of H₂O₂ was estimated at a concentration of 30 uM in these cultures. Cell viability of cultured mouse spinal motor neurons was remarkably decreased by H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. RG was remarkably effective in blocking the neurotoxicity induced by H₂O₂ at a concentration of 120 μM as determined by SRB assay. From above the results, it is suggested that H₂O₂ induce neurotoxicity, and the selective herbal extracted RG was very effective in blocking H₂O₂-mediated neurotoxicity on cultured mouse spinal motor neurons.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.125-129
• /
• 2009

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and Parkinson's disease, are caused by neuronal cell death. Apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, excitotoxicity or ischemia are discussed to play a role of neuronal cell death. In order to find the candidate of neuroprotective agent, neuroprotective activity of some medicinal plants was investigated with in vitro assay system using glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells. The aqueous methanolic extracts of twenty-seven medicinal plants were evaluated the protective effects against glutamate-injured excitotoxicity in rat cortical cells at the concentration of 50 $\mu$g/ml and 100 $\mu$g/ml, respectively. Among them, extracts of Lonicera japonica, Taraxacum platycarpum, Polygonum aviculare, Gardenia jasminoides, Forsythia viridissima, Lygodium japonicum, Panax notoginseng, Akebia quinata, Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Phellodendron amurense showed significantly neuroprotective activities against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary rat cortical cells.