Protective effect of Bajijiasu against β-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Sulfadiazine Exerts Potential Anticancer Effect in HepG2 and MCF7 Cells by Inhibiting TNFα, IL1b, COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX Gene Expression: Evidence from In Vitro and Computational Studies

Drug repurposing is a promising approach that has the potential to revolutionize the drug discovery and development process. By leveraging existing drugs, we can bring new treatments to patients more quickly and affordably. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to target multiple pathways involved in cancer development and progression. This suggests that they may be more effective in treating cancer than drugs that target a single pathway. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. The expression of genes related to inflammation (TNFa, IL1b, COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX) was measured in HepG2, MCF7, and THLE-2 cells using qPCR. The levels of TNFα, IL1b, COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX were also measured in these cells using an ELISA kit. An enzyme binding assay revealed that sulfadiazine expressed weaker inhibitory activity against COX-2 (IC50 = 5.27 μM) in comparison with the COX-2 selective reference inhibitor celecoxib (COX-2 IC50 = 1.94 μM). However, a more balanced inhibitory effect was revealed for sulfadiazine against the COX/LOX pathway with greater affinity towards 5-LOX (IC50 = 19.1 μM) versus COX-1 (IC50 = 18.4 μM) as compared to celecoxib (5-LOX IC50 = 16.7 μM, and COX-1 IC50 = 5.9 μM). MTT assays revealed the IC50 values of 245.69 ± 4.1 µM and 215.68 ± 3.8 µM on HepG2 and MCF7 cell lines, respectively, compared to the standard drug cisplatin (66.92 ± 1.8 µM and 46.83 ± 1.3 µM, respectively). The anti-inflammatory effect of sulfadiazine was also depicted through its effect on the levels of inflammatory markers and inflammation-related genes (TNFα, IL1b, COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX). Molecular simulation studies revealed key binding interactions that explain the difference in the activity profiles of sulfadiazine compared to celecoxib. The results suggest that sulfadiazine exhibited balanced inhibitory activity against the 5-LOX/COX-1 enzymes compared to the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. These findings highlight the potential of sulfadiazine as a potential anticancer agent through balanced inhibitory activity against the COX/LOX pathway and reduction in the expression of inflammatory genes.

Neuroprotective effects of Morinda officinalis How.: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles in Alzheimer’s disease

Pharmacological studies have shown that some traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have applications in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Morinda officinalis How. (MO) is a TCM with a long history and is widely used to tonify kidney Yang. In vitro and in vivo experiments have suggested that MO contains various effective pharmaceutical components and chemicals, including oligosaccharides, anthraquinones, iridoids, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements, conferring MO with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are undoubtedly hallmarks of neurodegeneration, contributing to AD progression. In this mini-review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, and potential synergistic and antagonistic effects of active components in MO. This discussion highlights the roles of these active components, such as oligosaccharides, anthraquinones, and iridoid glycosides, in the treatment of AD via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, providing a scientific basis for further utilization of MO.

Effects of Changyu Daotan Decoction on Depression via Restoration of Mice Hippocampus and Alteration of Expression of Relevant Neurotrophic Factors

Depression, a sort of common psychological disorder, is a serious hazard to people’s health and social progress. Conventional clinical means for this disorder nowadays are mostly chemical medicine treatments accompanied by psychological counseling. Chinese application of using TCM to treat mental diseases like depression could be traced from hundreds of years ago, in comparison to the long-term depression course and the chemical medicine administration demerits like side effects and resistance, traditional Chinese medicines are milder, more lasting, stable and are the optimal choice for perennial depression treatment. This study was committed to making a comprehensive investigation of Changyu Daotan Decoction’s efficacy in the depression mice model, and it turned out that the Changyu Daotan Decoction was capable of restoring the hippocampus of the depression mice and altering the expressions of neurotrophic factors (the expressions of β-Catenin, cyclin D1 and in GSK-3β BDNF, GFAP, NGF, and Wnt signaling pathways). Results of metabonomics analysis showed that the contents of GABA, His, Tyr, Trp, PA, and 5-HIAA in the mice of the Changyu Daotan Decoction group were restored after administration and showed a conspicuous relevance with the metabolic.

Frankincense diterpenes as a bio-source for drug discovery

INTRODUCTION

Frankincense (Boswellia sp.) gum resins have been employed as an incense in cultural and religious ceremonies for many years. Frankincense resin has over the years been employed to treat depression, inflammation, and cancer in traditional medicines.

AREAS COVERED

This inclusive review focuses on the significance of frankincense diterpenoids, and in particular, incensole derivatives for establishment future treatments of depression, neurological disorders, and cancer. The authors survey the available literature and furnish an overview of future perspectives of these intriguing molecules.

EXPERT OPINION

Numerous diterpenoids including cembrane, prenylaromadendrane, and the verticillane-type have been isolated from various Boswellia resins. Cembrane-type diterpenoids occupy a crucial position in pharmaceutical chemistry and related industries because of their intriguing biological and encouraging pharmacological potentials. Several cembranes have been reported to possess anti-Alzheimer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antimalarial effects along with a good possibility to treat anxiety and depression. Although some slight drawbacks of these compounds have been noted, including the selectivity of these diterpenoids, there is a great need to address these in future research endeavors. Moreover, it is vitally important for medicinal chemists to prepare libraries of incensole-heterocyclic analogs as well as hybrid compounds between incensole or its acetate and anti-depressant or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Compounds and Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and memory loss. So far, the pathogenesis of AD has not been fully understood. Research have shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) participate in the occurrence and development of AD. Furthermore, various studies, both in vivo and in vitro, have shown that targeting ER stress and ER stress-mediated apoptosis contribute to the recovery of AD. Thus, targeting ER stress and ER stress-mediated apoptosis may be effective for treating AD. In this review, the molecular mechanism of ER stress and ER stress-mediated apoptosis, as well as the therapeutic effects of some natural compounds and small molecule inhibitors targeting ER stress and ER stress-mediated apoptosis in AD will be introduced.

Neuroprotective Effects of OMO within the Hippocampus and Cortex in a D-Galactose and Aβ 25-35-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Morinda officinalis F.C. How. (Rubiaceae) is a herbal medicine. It has been recorded that its oligosaccharides have neuroprotective properties. In order to understand the oligosaccharides extracted from Morinda officinalis (OMO), a systematic study was conducted to provide evidence that supports its use in neuroprotective therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD rat models were prepared with D-galactose and Aβ_25–35. The following groups were used in the present experiment: normal control group, sham-operated group, model group, Aricept group, OMO low-dose group, OMO medium-dose group, and OMO high-dose group. The effects on behavioral tests, antioxidant levels, energy metabolism, neurotransmitter levels, and AD-related proteins were detected with corresponding methodologies. AD rats administered with different doses of OMO all exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in latency and an increase (P < 0.05) in the ratio of swimming distance to total distance in a dose-dependent manner in the Morris water maze. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT), neurotransmitter levels (acetylcholine, γ-GABA, and NE and DA), energy metabolism (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase), and relative synaptophysin (SYP) expression levels in AD rats administered with OMO. Furthermore, there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in MDA levels and relative expression levels of APP, tau, and caspase-3 in AD rats with OMO. The present research suggests that OMO protects against D-galactose and Aβ_25–35-induced neurodegeneration, which may provide a novel strategy for improving AD in clinic.

The Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Mental Disorders: A Review on Depression, Anxiety, Alzheimer, and Autism Spectrum Disorders

BACKGROUND

Probiotics and their nutrient sources (prebiotics) have been shown to have positive effects on different organs of the host. The idea of their potential benefits on Central Nervous Systems (CNS) and the incidence of Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer, Depression, Autism, and other mental disorders has proposed a new category of medicines called "psychobiotic" which is hoped to be of low-side effect anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety constitutes.

OBJECTIVE

In the current review, we present valuable insights into the complicated interactions between the GI microbiota (especially in the colon), brain, immune and central nervous systems and provide a summary of the main findings of the effects of pro- and prebiotics on important mental disorders from the potential mechanisms of action to their application in clinical practice.

METHODS

Google Scholar, Pub Med, Scopus, and Science Direct databases were searched using following key words: "probiotics", "prebiotics", "mental disorders", "psychological disorders", "depression", "anxiety", "stress", "Alzheimer" and "autism spectrum". The full text of potentially eligible studies was retrieved and assessed in detail by the reviewers. Data were extracted and then summarized from the selected papers.

RESULTS

The results of the provided evidence suggest that probiotic and prebiotics might improve mental function via several mechanisms. The beneficial effects of their application in Depression, Anxiety, Alzheimer and autism spectrum diseases have also been supported in clinical studies.

CONCLUSION

Pro and prebiotics can improve mental health and psychological function and can be offered as new medicines for common mental disorders, however, more clinical studies are necessary to conduct regarding the clinical significance of the effects and their bioequivalence or superiority against current treatments.

Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Herbal Small-Molecule Drugs for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques composed of the β-amyloid peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and associates with progressive declines in memory and cognition. Several genes play important roles and regulate enzymes that produce a pathological accumulation of β-amyloid in the brain, such as gamma secretase (γ-secretase). Induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with Alzheimer’s disease with different underlying genetic mechanisms may help model different phenotypes of Alzheimer’s disease and facilitate personalized drug screening platforms for the identification of small molecules. We also discuss recent developments by γ-secretase inhibitors and modulators in the treatment of AD. In addition, small-molecule drugs isolated from Chinese herbal medicines have been shown effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease. We propose a mechanism of small-molecule drugs in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Combining therapy with different small-molecule drugs may increase the chance of symptomatic treatment. A customized strategy tailored to individuals and in combination with therapy may be a more suitable treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease in the future.

Oligosaccharides from Morinda officinalis Slow the Progress of Aging Mice by Regulating the Key Microbiota-Metabolite Pairs

The gut microbiota is considered an important factor in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Active research on the association between the metabolome and the gut microbiome is ongoing and can provide a large amount of beneficial information about the interactions between the microbiome and the metabolome. Previous studies have shown that the oligosaccharides from Morinda officinalis (OMO) can delay the progress of AD in model animals by regulating the diversity of the gut microbiome and metabolic components, and the correlation between the gut microbiome and metabolic components still needs to be further verified. This study applied a new two-level strategy to investigate and ensure the accuracy and consistency of the results. This strategy can be used to determine the association between the gut microbiome and serum metabolome in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and C57BL/6J male mice. The “4C0d-2 spp.-Cholesterol,” “CW040 spp.-L-valine,” “CW040 spp.-L-acetylcarnitine,” “RF39 spp.-L-valine,” “TM7-3 spp.-L-valine,” and “TM7-3 spp.-L-acetylcarnitine” associations among specific “microbiota-metabolite” pairs were further identified based on univariate and multivariate correlation analyses and functional analyses. The key relevant pairs were verified by an independent oligosaccharide intervention study, and the gut microbiome and serum metabolome of the OMO intervention group were similar to those of the normal group. The results indicate that OMO can significantly suppress Alzheimer's disease by regulating the key microbiota-metabolite pairs. Therefore, this two-level strategy is effective in identifying the principal correlations in large datasets obtained from combinations of multiomic studies and further enhancing our understanding of the correlation between the brain and gut in patients with AD.

Incensole acetate prevents beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in human olfactory bulb neural stem cells

β-Amyloid peptide (Aβ) is a potent neurotoxic protein associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) which causes oxidative damage to neurons. Incensole acetate (IA) is a major constituent of Boswellia carterii resin, which has anti-inflammatory and protective properties against damage of a large verity of neural subtypes. However, this neuroprotective effect was not studied on human olfactory bulb neural stem cells (hOBNSCs). Herein, we evaluated this effect and studied the underlying mechanisms. Exposure to Aβ_25-35 (5 and 10 μM for 24 h) inhibited proliferation (revealed by downregulation of Nestin and Sox2 gene expression), and induced differentiation (marked by increased expression of the immature neuronal marker Map2 and the astrocyte marker Gfap) of hOBNSCs. However, pre-treatment with IA (100 μM for 4 h) stimulated proliferation and differentiation of neuronal, rather than astrocyte, markers. Moreover, IA pretreatment significantly decreased the Aβ_25-35-induced viability loss, apoptotic rate (revealed by decreased caspase 3 activity and protein expression, downregulated expression of Bax, caspase 8, cyto c, caspase3, and upregulated expression of Bcl2 mRNAs and proteins, in addition to elevated mitochondrial membrane potential and lowered intracellular Ca⁺²). IA reduced Aβ-mediated ROS production (revealed by decreased intracellular ROS and MDA level, and increased SOD, CAT, and GPX contents), and inhibited Aβ-induced inflammation (marked by down-regulated expression of IL1b, TNFa, NfKb, and Cox2 genes). IA also significantly upregulated mRNA and protein expression of Erk1/2 and Nrf2. Notably, IA increased the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and this effect was reversed by HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) leading to reduction of the neuroprotective effect of IA against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. These findings clearly show the ability of IA to initiate proliferation and differentiation of neuronal progenitors in hOBNSCs and induce HO-1 expression, thereby protecting the hOBNSCs cells from Aβ_25-35-induced oxidative cell death. Thus, IA may be applicable as a potential preventive agent for AD by its effect on hOBNSCs and could also be used as an adjuvant to hOBNSCs in cellular therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

Prebiotic Effect of Fructooligosaccharides from Morinda officinalis on Alzheimer's Disease in Rodent Models by Targeting the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Gut microbiota influences the central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The prebiotics and probiotics can improve the host cognition. A previous study demonstrated that fructooligosaccharides from Morinda officinalis (OMO) exert effective memory improvements in AD-like animals, thereby considered as potential prebiotics; however, the underlying mechanism still remains enigma. Thus, the present study investigated whether OMO is effective in alleviating AD by targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis. OMO was administered in rats with AD-like symptoms (D-galactose- and Aβ_1-42-induced deficient rats). Significant and systematic deterioration in AD-like animals were identified, including learning and memory abilities, histological changes, production of cytokines, and microbial community shifts. Behavioral experiments demonstrated that OMO administration can ameliorate the learning and memory abilities in both AD-like animals significantly. AD parameters showed that OMO administration cannot only improve oxidative stress and inflammation disorder, but also regulate the synthesis and secretion of neurotransmitter. Histological changes indicated that OMO administration ameliorates the swelling of brain tissues, neuronal apoptosis, and down-regulation of the expression of AD intracellular markers (Tau and Aβ_1-42). 16S rRNA sequencing of gut microbiota indicated that OMO administration maintains the diversity and stability of the microbial community. In addition, OMO regulated the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mice model treated by overdosed antibiotics and thus showed the prebiotic potential. Moreover, gut microbiota plays a major role in neurodevelopment, leading to alterations in gene expression in critical brain and intestinal regions, thereby resulting in perturbation to the programming of normal cognitive behaviors. Taken together, our findings suggest that the therapeutic effect of the traditional medicine, M. officinalis, on various neurological diseases such as AD, is at least partially contributed by its naturally occurring chemical constituent, OMO, via modulating the interaction between gut ecology and brain physiology.

Neuroprotective effects of bajijiasu against cognitive impairment induced by amyloid-β in APP/PS1 mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological degenerative disease. The main clinical manifestations of AD include progressive cognitive impairment and alteration of personality. Senile plaques, neuroinflammation, and destruction of synapse structure stability are the main pathological features of AD. Bajijiasu(BJJS) is extracted from Morinda Officinalis, a Chinese herb. In this study, we explored the effect of BJJS on AD from many aspects in APPswe/PSEN1ΔE9 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests results showed that BJJS could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities in APP/PS1 mice. BJJS treatment increased the level of insulin degradation enzyme (IDE) and neprilysin (NEP) and decreased the level of β-site app cleaving enzyme 1(BACE1) in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. BJJS-treated APP/PS1 mice appeared to have reductions of Aβ deposition and senile plaques, and showed higher levels of neurotrophic factors in the brain. We also found that BJJS had an inhibitory function on neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 mice. In addition, the synapse structure relevant proteins were elevated in the brain of BJJS-treated APP/PS1 mice. The present results indicated that BJJS could attenuate cognitive impairment via ameliorating the AD-related pathological alterations in APP/PS1 mice. These findings suggest that BJJS may be a potential therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's disease.

Docking Studies and Biological Evaluation of a Potential β-Secretase Inhibitor of 3-Hydroxyhericenone F from Hericium erinaceus

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting approximately more than 5% of the population worldwide over the age 65, annually. The incidence of AD is expected to be higher in the next 10 years. AD patients experience poor prognosis and as a consequence new drugs and therapeutic strategies are required in order to improve the clinical responses and outcomes of AD. The purpose of the present study was to screen a certain number of potential compounds from herbal sources and investigate their corresponding mode of action. In the present study, the learning and memory effects of ethanol:water (8:2) extracts from Hericium erinaceus were evaluated on a dementia rat model. The model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg/d D-galactose in rats. The results indicated that the extracts can significantly ameliorate the learning and memory abilities. Specific active ingredients were screened in vivo assays and the results were combined with molecular docking studies. Potential receptor–ligand interactions on the BACE1-inhibitor namely, 3-Hydroxyhericenone F (3HF) were investigated. The isolation of a limited amount of 3HF from the fruit body of H. erinaceus by chemical separation was conducted, and the mode of action of this compound was verified in NaN₃-induced PC12 cells. The cell-based assays demonstrated that 3HF can significantly down-regulate the expression of BACE1 (p < 0.01), while additional AD intracellular markers namely, p-Tau and Aβ_1-42 were further down-regulated (p < 0.05). The data further indicate that 3HF can ameliorate certain mitochondrial dysfunction conditions by the reversal of the decreasing level of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, the calcium ion levels ([Ca²⁺]), the inhibiton in the production of ROS, the increase in the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels, and the regulation of the expression levels of the genes encoding for the p21, COX I, COX II, PARP1, and NF-κB proteins. The observations suggest the use of H. erinaceus in traditional medicine for the treatment of various neurological diseases and render 3HF as a promising naturally occurring chemical constituent for the treatment of AD via the inhibition of the β-secretase enzyme.

BDNF-GSK-3β-β-Catenin Pathway in the mPFC Is Involved in Antidepressant-Like Effects of Morinda officinalis Oligosaccharides in Rats

BACKGROUND

Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides have been reported to exert neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test in mice. However, the mechanisms that underlie the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides are unclear.

METHODS

Chronic unpredictable stress and forced swim test were used to explore the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides and resilience to stress in rats. The phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 was microinjected in the medial prefrontal cortex to explore the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase 3β, β-catenin, and synaptic proteins was determined in the medial prefrontal cortex and the orbitofrontal cortex by western blot.

RESULTS

We found that Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides effectively ameliorated chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression-like behaviors in the sucrose preference test and forced swim test. The Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides also significantly rescued chronic unpredictable stress-induced abnormalities in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-glycogen synthase kinase-3β-β-catenin pathway and synaptic protein deficits in the medial prefrontal cortex but not orbitofrontal cortex. The activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β by the phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 abolished the antidepressant-like effects of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the forced swim test. Naïve rats that were treated with Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides exhibited resilience to chronic unpredictable stress, accompanied by increases in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated-Ser9-glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and β-catenin in the medial prefrontal cortex.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-glycogen synthase kinase-3β-β-catenin pathway in the medial prefrontal cortex may underlie the antidepressant-like effect of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides and resilience to stress.

Synthesis and evaluation of neuroprotective 4-O-substituted chrysotoxine derivatives as potential multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

A series of 4-O-substituted chrysotoxine (CTX) derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Effects of piceatannol and pterostilbene against β-amyloid-induced apoptosis on the PI3K/Akt/Bad signaling pathway in PC12 cells

Piceatannol and pterostilbene both showed protective effect against Aβ-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, however, with different PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Effect of bajijiasu isolated from Morinda officinalis F. C. how on sexual function in male mice and its antioxidant protection of human sperm

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In recent years, the physiological aspects of human fertility have been seriously influenced by the interactions of genetic and environmental factors. Almost one in 20 males has been affected by male infertility, providing a great challenge and an opportunity to use natural compounds as alternatives to chemical drugs with comprehensive adverse effects. However, ample evidences are scanty to support the physiological mechanisms of natural compounds used to treat male infertility. In traditional Chinese medicine, Morinda officinalis F. C. How is widely used as a herb that invigorates the kidneys and supports yang, the original energy in the human body, to resist diseases and in treating male infertility. In this study, we evaluated whether bajijiasu isolated from the roots of M. officinalis F.C. How is a potential agent for the treatment of male infertility.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In this study, both normal and kidney-yang-deficient mice were administered bajijiasu orally at different concentrations. To determine the pharmacological mechanism of bajijiasu, we observed the sexual behavior and genital organ coefficients, determined their serum hormone levels, analyzed their sperm quality parameters, and examined histopathological sections from them. We also used enzymatic assays to determine the effects of bajijiasu on superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde. Confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the changes in the DNA of H2O2-damaged human sperm after treatment with bajijiasu in vitro.

RESULTS

Our results showed that bajijiasu enhanced the sexual behavior of both normal and kidney-yang-deficient mice. It also markedly increased the testosterone concentrations, reduced the levels of cortisol, improved the quality of the sperm, and counteracted the histopathological impairment induced by hydroxyurea in the kidney-yang-deficient mice. The enzymatic assay and Raman spectra showed that bajijiasu protects the DNA of sperm from damage by H2O2.

CONCLUSION

Bajijiasu is a potential androgen-like drug that modulates hormone levels to some extent without producing reproductive-organ lesions, enhances the sexual function of male mice, and protects the DNA of human sperm from H2O2 damage. Thus, bajijiasu is an active ingredient of M. officinalis F.C. How that improves the human reproductive capacity.

Protective Effects of Baicalin on Aβ₁₋₄₂-Induced Learning and Memory Deficit, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in Rat

The accumulation and deposition of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in senile plaques and cerebral vasculature is believed to facilitate the progressive neurodegeneration that occurs in the Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study sought to elucidate possible effects of baicalin, a natural phytochemical, on Aβ toxicity in a rat model of AD. By morris water maze test, Aβ1-42 injection was found to cause learning and memory deficit in rat, which was effectively improved by baicalin treatment. Besides, histological examination showed that baicalin could attenuate the hippocampus injury caused by Aβ. The neurotoxicity mechanism of Aβ is associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis, as revealed by increased malonaldehyde generation and TUNEL-positive cells. Baicalin treatment was able to increase antioxidant capabilities by recovering activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and up-regulating their gene expression. Moreover, baicalin effectively prevented Aβ-induced mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increase, cytochrome c release, and caspase-9/-3 activation. In addition, we found that the anti-oxidative effect of baicalin was associated with Nrf2 activation. In conclusion, baicalin effectively improved Aβ-induced learning and memory deficit, hippocampus injury, and neuron apoptosis, making it a promising drug to preventive interventions for AD.

Role of Notch-1 signaling pathway in PC12 cell apoptosis induced by amyloid beta-peptide (25-35)

Recent studies have demonstrated that Notch-1 expression is increased in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease patients. We speculate that Notch-1 signaling may be involved in PC12 cell apoptosis induced by amyloid beta-peptide (25–35) (Aβ_25–35). In the present study, PC12 cells were cultured with different doses (0, 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 nmol/L) of N-[N-(3,5-Difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester, a Notch-1 signaling pathway inhibitor, for 30 minutes. Then cultured cells were induced with Aβ_25–35 for 48 hours. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with high doses of N-[N-(3,5-Difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (> 10 nmol/L) prolonged the survival of PC12 cells after Aβ_25–35 induction, decreased the expression of apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3, -8, -9, increased the activity of oxidative stress-related superoxide dismutase and catalase, inhibited the production of active oxygen, and reduced nuclear factor kappa B expression. This study indicates that the Notch-1 signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in Aβ_25–35-induced PC12 apoptosis.

Chinese traditional medicine and adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus

Adult neurogenesis is an important therapeutic target in treating neurological disorders. Adult neurogenesis takes place in two regions of the brain: Subventricular zone and dentate gyrus in the hippocampus. The progressive understanding on hippocampal neurogenesis in aging and mood disorders increases the demand to explore powerful and subtle interventions on hippocampal neurogenesis. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine provides an abundant pharmaceutical platform for modulating hippocampal neurogenesis. Recent progress in exploring the effects of Chinese herbal medicine and the related mechanisms opens a new direction for regeneration therapy. The current review gives a thorough summary of the research progress made in traditional Chinese herbal formulas, and the effective compounds in Chinese herbs which are beneficial on hippocampal neurogenesis and the possible mechanisms involved.

Protective effects of bajijiasu in a rat model of Aβ₂₅₋₃₅-induced neurotoxicity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVENCE

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) caused by neurons and/or myelin loss lead to devastating effects on patients׳ lives. Although the causes of such complex diseases have not yet been fully elucidated, oxidative stress, mitochondrial and energy metabolism dysfunction, excitotoxicity, inflammation, and apoptosis have been recognized as influential factors. Current therapies that were designed to address only a single target are unable to mitigate or prevent disease progression, and disease-modifying drugs are desperately needed, and Chinese herbs will be a good choice for screening the potential drugs. Previous studies have shown that bajijiasu, a dimeric fructose isolated from Morinda officinalis radix which was used frequently as a tonifying and replenishing natural herb medicine in traditional Chinese medicine clinic practice, can prevent ischemia-induced neuronal damage or death.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to investigate whether bajijiasu protects against beta-amyloid (Aβ₂₅₋₃₅)-induced neurotoxicity in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms of bajijiasu in vivo, we prepared an Alzheimer׳s disease (AD) model by injecting Aβ25-35 into the bilateral CA1 region of rat hippocampus and treated a subset with oral bajijiasu. We observed the effects on learning and memory, antioxidant levels, energy metabolism, neurotransmitter levels, and neuronal apoptosis.

RESULTS

Bajijiasu ameliorated Aβ-induced learning and memory dysfunction, enhanced antioxidative activity and energy metabolism, and attenuated cholinergic system damage. Our findings suggest that bajijiasu can enhance antioxidant capacity and prevent free radical damage. It can also enhance energy metabolism and monoamine neurotransmitter levels and inhibit neuronal apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The results provide a scientific foundation for the use of Morinda officinalis and its constituents in the treatment of various AD. Future studies will assess the multi-target activity of the drug for the treatment of AD.

ETAS, an Enzyme-treated Asparagus Extract, Attenuates Amyloid β-Induced Cellular Disorder in PC 12 Cells

One of the pathological characterizations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) in cerebral cortical cells. The deposition of Aβ in neuronal cells leads to an increase in the production of free radicals that are typified by reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby inducing cell death. A growing body of evidence now suggests that several plant-derived food ingredients are capable of scavenging ROS in mammalian cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether enzyme-treated asparagus extract (ETAS), which is rich in antioxidants, is one of these ingredients. The pre-incubation of differentiated PC 12 cells with ETAS significantly recovered Aβ-induced reduction of cell viability, which was accompanied by reduced levels of ROS. These results suggest that ETAS may be one of the functional food ingredients with anti-oxidative capacity to help prevent AD.

Pharmacogenomics of Alzheimer's disease: novel therapeutic strategies for drug development

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major problem of health and disability, with a relevant economic impact on our society. Despite important advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, its primary causes still remain elusive, accurate biomarkers are not well characterized, and the available pharmacological treatments are not cost-effective. As a complex disorder, AD is a polygenic and multifactorial clinical entity in which hundreds of defective genes distributed across the human genome may contribute to its pathogenesis. Diverse environmental factors, cerebrovascular dysfunction, and epigenetic phenomena, together with structural and functional genomic dysfunctions, lead to amyloid deposition, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and premature neuronal death, the major neuropathological hallmarks of AD. Future perspectives for the global management of AD predict that genomics and proteomics may help in the search for reliable biomarkers. In practical terms, the therapeutic response to conventional drugs (cholinesterase inhibitors, multifactorial strategies) is genotype-specific. Genomic factors potentially involved in AD pharmacogenomics include at least five categories of gene clusters: (1) genes associated with disease pathogenesis; (2) genes associated with the mechanism of action of drugs; (3) genes associated with drug metabolism (phase I and II reactions); (4) genes associated with drug transporters; and (5) pleiotropic genes involved in multifaceted cascades and metabolic reactions. The implementation of pharmacogenomic strategies will contribute to optimize drug development and therapeutics in AD and related disorders.