Neuroprotective effects of the aqueous extract of the Chinese medicine Danggui-Shaoyao-san on aged mice

Polypharmacology-based approach for screening TCM against coinfection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Escherichia coli

Natural products and their unique polypharmacology offer significant advantages for finding novel therapeutics particularly for the treatment of complex diseases. Meanwhile, Traditional Chinese Medicine exerts overall clinical benefits through a multi-component and multi-target approach. In this study, we used the previously established co-infection model of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Escherichia coli as a representative of complex diseases. A new combination consisting of 6 herbs were obtained by using network pharmacology combined with transcriptomic analysis to reverse screen TCMs from the Chinese medicine database, containing Isatdis Radix, Forsythia Fructus, Ginkgo Folium, Mori Cortex, Licorice, and Radix Salviae. The results of therapeutic trials showed that the Chinese herbal compounds screened by the target network played a good therapeutic effect in the case of co-infection. In summary, these data suggested a new method to validate target combinations of natural products that can be used to optimize their multiple structure-activity relationships to obtain drug-like natural product derivatives.

Medicine-food herb: Angelica sinensis, a potential therapeutic hope for Alzheimer's disease and related complications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which has brought a huge burden to the world. The current therapeutic approach of one-molecule-one-target strategy fails to address the issues of AD because of multiple pathological features of AD. Traditionally, the herb of Angelica sinensis (AS) comes from the root of an umbrella plant Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. As a typical medicine-food herb, studies have shown that AS can alleviate AD and AD-complications by multiple targets through the various foundations of pharmaceutical material and dietary supply basis. Therefore, this review summarizes the pharmacological effects of AS for the treatment of AD and AD-complications for the first time. AS contains many effective components, such as ligustilide, z-ligustilide, n-butylidenephthalide, α-pinene, p-cymene, myrcene, ferulic acid, vanillic acid and coniferyl ferulate. It is found that AS, AS-active compounds and AS-compound recipes mainly treat AD through neuroprotective, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidant effects, improving mitochondrial dysfunction, anti-neuronal apoptosis, regulating autophagy, regulating intestinal flora and enhancing the central cholinergic system, which shows the multi-component and multi-target effect of AS. The role of dietary supplement components in AS for AD intervention is summarized, including vitamin B₁₂, folic acid, arginine, and oleic acid, which can improve the symptoms of AD. Besides, this review focuses on the safety and toxicity evaluation of AS, which provides a basis for its application. This review will provide further support for the research on AD and the application of medicine-food herb AS in a healthy lifestyle in the future.

Danggui-Shaoyao-San Attenuates Cognitive Impairment via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis With Regulation of Lipid Metabolism in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia

Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) has a long history of being used as a traditional medicine (TCM) and has been reported to show therapeutic effects in alleviating the symptoms of cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether DSS treatment attenuates cognitive impairment via the microbiota–gut–brain axis in scopolamine-induced amnesia. In this work, we first performed the Morris water maze (MWM) test and novel object recognition (NOR) test to evaluate the memory function of treated C57BL/6N mice. Then we evaluated 16S rRNA for gut microbiota analysis, as well as assessment of blood–brain barrier function and intestinal barrier function and lipid metabolism analysis on tissues from different groups. We hypothesised that DSS may affect brain function and behavior through the gut–brain axis in a bidirectional interplay with both top-down and bottom-up regulation. Furthermore, in order to confirm whether intestinal flora plays a crucial role in scopolamine-induced amnesia, C57BL/6N mice were treated with fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), and then behavioral tests were performed. The mice’s feces were simultaneously evaluated by 16S rRNA analysis. The result supported that the FMT-induced improvement in cognitive function highlights the role of the gut microbiota–brain axis to mediate cognitive function and behavior. Besides theses works, more findings indicated that DSS altered lipid metabolism by activating LXR-PPAR-γ and repaired mucosal barrier dysfunction assessed with a broad range of techniques, which attenuated cognitive impairment via the microbiota–gut–brain axis.

Network pharmacology analysis to explore mechanism of three flower tea against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with experimental support using high-fat diet-induced rats

Objective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a common chronic liver disease that is harmful to human health. Moreover, there is currently no FDA-approved first-line drug for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or NAFLD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used to ameliorate liver diseases, such as the traditional ancient recipe called Three Flower Tea (TFT), which consists of double rose (Rosa rugosa), white chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), and Daidaihua (Citrus aurantium). However, the mechanisms of the action of TFT are not clear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of TFT against NAFLD in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced rats.

Methods

This study utilized bioinformatics and network pharmacology to establish the active and potential ingredient-target networks of TFT. Furthermore, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis was performed to determine the key targets of TFT against NAFLD. Furthermore, an animal experiment was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effect and confirm the key targets of TFT against NAFLD.

Results

A total of 576 NAFLD-related genes were searched in GeneCards, and under the screening criteria of oral bioavailability (OB) ≥30% and drug-likeness (DL) ≥0.18, a total of 19 active ingredients and 210 targets were identified in TFT. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that 55 matching targets in PPIs were closely associated with roles for NAFLD treatment. Through the evaluation of network topology parameters, four key central genes, PPARγ, SREBP, AKT, and RELA, were identified. Furthermore, animal experiments indicated that TFT could reduce plasma lipid profiles, hepatic lipid profiles and hepatic fat accumulation, improve liver function, suppress inflammatory factors, and reduce oxidative stress. Through immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analysis, PPARγ, SREBP, AKT, and RELA were confirmed as targets of TFT in HFD-induced rats.

Conclusion

In summary, our results indicate that TFT can prevent and treat NAFLD via multiple targets, including lipid accumulation, antioxidation, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation.

Effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors of rats induced by experimental tooth movement

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) on depression- and anxiety-like behavior induced by experimental tooth movement (ETM) in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into a sham group (n = 12; rats underwent all operation procedures, except placement of orthodontic forces, and received saline treatment), ETM group (n = 12; rats received saline treatment and ETM), and DETM group (n = 12; rats received DSS [dose: 150 mg/kg twice daily from preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 7] treatment and ETM). The vacuous chewing movement (VCM) test, open-field test, and elevated plus maze test were performed to assess the depression- and anxiety-like behaviors of the rats.

RESULTS

DSS pretreatment significantly decreased the ETM-induced VCM time (P < 0.05, DETM vs. ETM), increased the ETM-induced time to the central area of experimental device during the 5 min open-field test (P < 0.05, DETM vs. ETM), and increased the ratio of time spent in the open arms of the 5 min elevated plus maze test induced by ETM (P < 0.01, DETM vs. ETM).

CONCLUSIONS

DSS pretreatment can restore the impaired abilities of rats caused by ETM-induced depression- and anxiety-like behavior.

Biomedical Implications of Plant-Based Principles as Antidepressants: Prospects for Novel Drug Development

BACKGROUND

Depression is a most common mental disorder. The symptoms of depression include loss of energy, changes in appetite, more or less sleep, anxiety, low concentration, uncertainty, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or despair, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In order to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective medication, the plants based principles in isolation or in combination with traditional antidepressants are attracting increasing attention for depression therapy.

METHOD

The information regarding the present review and its contents such as collected from published literature materials in different international journals. We have used different search engines such as PubMed, Medline, ResearchGate Google Semantic Scholar and ScienceDirect. For this purpose, the data obtained were properly organized and suitably analyzed to include in this article.

RESULTS

Most of the phytomolecules isolated from the medicinal plants display antidepressant effect through the synaptic regulation of levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline in different parts of the brain. The mechanism of action of phytomolecules also involves negative regulation of the activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and prevention of hyperactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition, the strong antioxidative and antiinflamatory potential of these phytochemicals offer synergy to their antidepressant as well as antipsychosomatic functions.

CONCLUSION

The application of phytochemicals has proved it to be a safe, cost effective and efficient therapeutic agent to treat the patients suffering from mild to severe state of depression and other psychiatric disorders. The potential phytochemicals may be further optimized using in silico tools to develop better antidepressants and antisychotic agents in future.

Preventing dementia? Interventional approaches in mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as an intermediate state between normal cognitive aging and dementia. It describes a status of the subjective impression of cognitive decline and objectively detectible memory impairment beyond normal age-related changes. Activities of daily living are not affected. As the population ages, there is a growing need for early, proactive programs that can delay the consequences of dementia and improve the well-being of people with MCI and their caregivers. Various forms and approaches of intervention for older people with MCI have been suggested to delay cognitive decline. Pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological approaches (cognitive, physiological, nutritional supplementation, electric stimulation, psychosocial therapeutic) and multicomponent interventions have been proposed. Interventional approaches in MCI from 2009 to April 2019 concerning the cognitive performance are presented in this review.

Natural products improve healthspan in aged mice and rats: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Over the last decades a decrease in mortality has paved the way for late onset pathologies such as cardiovascular, metabolic or neurodegenerative diseases. This evidence has led many researchers to shift their focus from researching ways to extend lifespan to finding ways to increase the number of years spent in good health; "healthspan" is indeed the emerging concept of such quest for ageing without chronic or disabling diseases and dysfunctions. Regular consumption of natural products might improve healthspan, although the mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. Since preclinical studies aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of these compounds are growing, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of natural products on healthspan in mouse and rat models of physiological ageing. Results indicate that natural compounds show robust effects improving stress resistance and cognitive abilities. These promising data call for further studies investigating the underlying mechanisms in more depth.

In-depth transcriptomic analyses of LncRNA and mRNA expression in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice by Danggui-Shaoyao-San

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease with a high incidence worldwide, and with no medications currently able to prevent the progression of AD. Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been proven to be effective for memory and cognitive dysfunction, yet its precise mechanism remains to be delineated. The present study was designed to investigate the genome-wide expression profile of long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice after DSS treatment by RNA sequencing. A total of 285 differentially expressed LncRNAs and 137 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified (fold-change ≥2.0 and P < 0.05). Partial differentially expressed LncRNAs and mRNAs were selected to verify the RNA sequencing results by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A co-expression network was established to analyze co-expressed LncRNAs and genes. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to evaluate the biological functions related to the differentially co-expressed LncRNAs, and the results showed that the co-expressed LncRNAs were mainly involved in AD development from distinct origins, such as APP processing, neuron migration, and synaptic transmission. Our research describes the lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles and functional networks involved in the therapeutic effect of DSS in APP/PS1 mice model. The results suggest that the therapeutic effect of DSS on AD involves the expression of LncRNAs. Our findings provide a new perspective for research on the treatment of complex diseases using traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.

Roles of Gut Microbiota in Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease and Therapeutic Effects of Chinese Medicine

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive impairment. The pathogenesis of AD is complex, and its susceptibility and development process are affected by age, genetic and epigenetic factors. Recent studies confirmed that gut microbiota (GM) might contribute to AD through a variety of pathways including hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and inflflammatory and immune processes. CM formula, herbs, and monomer enjoy unique advantages to treat and prevent AD. Hence, the purpose of this review is to outline the roles of GM and its core metabolites in the pathogenesis of AD. Research progress of CMs regarding the mechanisms of how they regulate GM to improve cognitive impairment of AD is also reviewed. The authors tried to explore new therapeutic strategies to AD based on the regulation of GM using CM.

Depression and Treatment with Effective Herbs

Depression is a common psychiatric disease and one of the main causes of disability worldwide. In spite of certain developments in this field, chemical and synthetic drugs used for the treatment of depression disrupt the treatment process due to numerous side effects and high cost. Today, the goal of using a potential method for treating depression involves the use of medicinal and phytochemical plants, which have many therapeutic benefits. Studies have shown that medicinal plants affect the nervous system and exert antidepressant effects in various ways, including synaptic regulation of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine, and inflammatory mediators. In this study, depression as well as the factors and mechanisms involved in its development are first addressed, and then medicinal plants effective in the treatment of depression along with their mechanisms of actions are reported.

Chinese herbal medicines on cognitive function and activity of daily living in senior adults with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This systematic review was performed to investigate the effects of Chinese herbal nedicine (CHM) on cognitive function and activity of daily living (ADL) in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

Five electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsycArticles, and CNKI) were searched from inception to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of CHM on cognition and activity of daily living in adults with Alzheimer's disease were included. We pooled the effects size using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the study quality.

RESULTS

Twenty-five RCTs (1855 individuals with AD) were included in this review. Overall findings of this meta-analysis indicated that CHM improved the cognitive function (SMD = 0.66, 95% CI [0.44, 0.89], I 2 = 77.9%, p < 0.001) and ADL (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI [0.25, 0.49], I 2 = 35.3%, p < 0.001) compared with conventional drugs. No publication biases were observed on both cognitive function and ADL.

CONCLUSION

CHM may have potential effects for improving cognitive function and ADL for individuals with AD compared with conventional drug therapies. However, the evidence is limited because of high risk of bias of the included trials.

Systematic Review of Basic Research on Alzheimer's Disease with Shen Zhi Ling Oral Liquid

OBJECTIVE

The present report systematically reviewed the basic research of Shen Zhi Ling oral liquid (Tiao Xin preparation) treatment on Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched, and the literature was selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted, and descriptive analysis was used.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles were included, all of which were published as "Tiao Xin preparation." There were seven types of AD models involved. The mechanism of action of Shen Zhi Ling oral liquid in the treatment of AD primarily included suppression of Aβ deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation, regulation of multiple neurotransmitters, improvement in energy metabolism, and promotion of the expression of autophagy-related and learning-memory-associated proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

AD is a complex disease caused by multiple factors. Shen Zhi Ling oral liquid exhibited multiple and multitarget effects and great potential for treating AD. The continuous development of molecular biology and related disciplines will further elucidate the mechanism of Shen Zhi Ling oral liquid intervention in AD.

Dangguishaoyao-San attenuates LPS-induced neuroinflammation via the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway

INTRODUCTION

Dangguishaoyao-San (DSS) is composed of six traditional Chinese medicines, including Angelica sinensis, Paeoniae radix, Rhizoma Ligusticum, Poria cocos, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and Rhizoma Alismatis. DSS has been reported to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of action of DSS in vitro using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BV-2 cells were pretreated with 0.58-1.16 mg/mL of DSS for 2 h and then treated with 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The protein expression levels were measured by Western blots. Inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

DSS treatment at concentrations of 0.58-1.16 mg/mL resulted in no significant cytotoxicity. DSS attenuated the release of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), iNOS and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. DSS attenuated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TLR2, and TLR4 and decreased TLR4 and TLR protein levels as well as the phosphorylation of IκB in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. DSS also down-regulated the nuclear translocation of p65.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that DSS has a protective effect on neuroinflammation in LPS-induced BV-2 microglia cells through the TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Neurogenic Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Promising Strategy for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Hippocampal neurogenesis plays a critical role in the formation of new neurons during learning and memory development. Attenuation of neurogenesis in the brain is one of the primary causes of dementia in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and, conversely, modulating the process of hippocampal neurogenesis benefit patients with AD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly herbal medicine, has been in use for thousands of years in Asia and many regions of the world for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize the role of neurotrophic factors, signal transducing factors, epigenetic modulators and neurotransmitters in neurogenesis, and we also discuss the functions of several Chinese herbs and their active molecules in activating multiple pathways involved in neurogenesis. TCM herbs target pathways such as Notch, Wnt, Sonic Hedgehog and receptor tyrosine kinase pathway, leading to activation of a signaling cascade that ultimately enhances the transcription of several important genes necessary for neurogenesis. Given these pathway activating effects, the use of TCM herbs could be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AD.

A Two-Year Treatment of Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment using a Compound Chinese Medicine: A Placebo Controlled Randomized Trial

We aimed to investigate the long-term therapeutic effects of a compound Chinese medicine, the Bushen capsule, on cognition and brain connectivity in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Thus, sixty aMCI participants were recruited to this 24-month study and were randomly divided into treatment (30 with a Bushen capsule) and placebo (30 with a placebo capsule) groups. Neuropsychological tests with MMSE and episodic memory as the primary outcomes and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were analyzed before and after the treatment over 24 month period. In contrast to the placebo group, the drug group presented improved or stable general cognitive function, memory, language and executive function especially the primary outcomes MMSE and episodic memory with Bushen capsule treatment. FMRI results showed increased connectivity in the right precuneus and the global connectivity indexed with goodness of fit (GOF) of the default mode network (DMN) in the drug group and decreased GOF in the placebo group. More importantly, we found the GOF change was positively correlated with changes in MMSE and memory scores after 24 months in the drug group. Over 24 months, treatment with the compound Chinese medicine Bushen capsule can improve multiple domains of cognition and increase the functional local (right precuneus) and global connectivity within the DMN, which are associated with better performance.

Effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San on the Influence of Spatial Learning and Memory Induced by Experimental Tooth Movement

BACKGROUND

The pain caused by orthodontic treatment has been considered as tough problems in orthodontic practice. There is substantial literature on pain which has exactly effected on learning and memory; orthodontic tooth movement affected the emotional status has been showed positive outcomes. Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription that has been used for pain treatment and analgesic effect for orthodontic pain via inhibiting the activations of neuron and glia. We raised the hypothesis that DSS could restore the impaired abilities of spatial learning and memory via regulating neuron or glia expression in the hippocampus.

METHODS

A total of 36 rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) Sham group (n = 12), rats underwent all the operation procedure except for the placement of orthodontic forces and received saline treatment; (2) experimental tooth movement (ETM) group (n = 12), rats received saline treatment and ETM; (3) DSS + ETM (DETM) group (n = 12), rats received DSS treatment and ETM. All DETM group animals were administered with DSS at a dose of 150 mg/kg. Morris water maze test was evaluated; immunofluorescent histochemistry was used to identify astrocytes activation, and immunofluorescent dendritic spine analysis was used to identify the dendritic spines morphological characteristics expression levels in hippocampus.

RESULTS

Maze training sessions during the 5 successive days revealed that ETM significantly deficits in progressive learning in rats, DSS that was given from day 5 prior to ETM enhanced progressive learning. The ETM group rats took longer to cross target quadrant during the probe trial and got less times to cross-platform than DETM group. The spine density in hippocampus in ETM group was significantly decreased compared to the sham group. In addition, thin and mature spine density were decreased too. However, the DSS administration could reverse the dendritic shrinkage and increase the spine density compared to the ETM group. Astrocytes activation showed the opposite trend in hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with DSS could restore the impaired abilities on ETM-induced decrease of learning and memory behavior. The decreased spines density in the hippocampus and astrocytes activation in DG of hippocampus in the ETM group rats may be related with the decline of the ability of learning and memory. The ability to change the synaptic plasticity in hippocampus after DSS administration may be correlated with the alleviation of impairment of learn and memory after ETM treatment.

A systems pharmacology approach to decipher the mechanism of danggui-shaoyao-san decoction for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) is a time-dependent course for a sequence of conditions that primarily impact the neurons in the human brain, ultimately, resulting in persistence and progressive degeneration and / or death of nerve cells and reduction of cognition and memory function. Currently, there are no therapeutic approaches to cure neurodegeneration, except certain medicines that temporarily alleviate symptoms, facilitating the improvement of a patients' quality of life. Danggui-shaoyao-san (DSS), as a famous Chinese herbal formula, has been widely used in the treatment of various illnesses, including neurodegenerative diseases. Although well-practiced in clinical medicine, the mechanisms involved in DSS for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases remain elusive.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, a novel systems pharmacology approach was developed to decipher the potential mechanism between DSS and neurodegenerative disorders, implicated in oral bioavailability screening, drug-likeness assessment, target identification and network analysis.

RESULTS

Based on a comprehensive systems approach, active compounds of DSS, relevant potential targets and targets associated with diseases were predicted. Active compounds, targets and diseases were used to construct biological networks, such as, compound-target interactions and target-disease networks, to decipher the mechanisms of DSS to address NDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, a well-understood picture of DSS, hallmarked by multiple herbs-compounds-targets-pathway-cooperation networks for the treatment of NDs, was revealed. Notably, this systems pharmacology approach provided a novel in silico approach for the development paradigm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the generation of new strategies for the management of NDs.

Danggui-Shaoyao-San: New Hope for Alzheimer's Disease

Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS), also called Toki-shakuyaku-san (TJ-23) or Dangguijakyak-san (DJS), is a well-known herbal formula (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels., Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., Paeonia lactiflora pall., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep., Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), which has been widely used in oriental countries for the treatment of various gynecological diseases. Recent studies show that DSS has an effect on free radical-mediated neurological diseases and exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and reduces cell apoptosis in the hippocampus. In addition, DSS mediates the modulation of central monoamine neurotransmitter systems and ameliorates dysfunction of the central cholinergic nervous system and scopolamine-induced decrease in ACh levels. DSS improves the function of the dopaminergic, adrenergic, and serotonergic nervous systems. Interestingly, DSS can alleviate cognitive dysfunction of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, suggesting that it is a useful therapeutic agent for AD. This paper reviews the mechanism of DSS for the treatment of AD.

Analgesic Effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San on Various "Phenotypes" of Nociception and Inflammation in a Formalin Pain Model

Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has long been used for pain treatment and has been demonstrated to possess anti-oxidative, cognitive enhancement, and anti-depressant effects. In the present study, the effects of aqueous extracts of DSS on spontaneous pain behaviors and long-term hyperalgesia were examined to investigate the anti-nociceptive effects and underlying mechanisms. Single pretreatment of DSS dose-dependently reduced spontaneous flinches/licking time in the second, rather than the first, phase after subcutaneous injection of 5 % formalin into one hindpaw, in doses of 2.4 and 9.6 g/kg. DSS also dose-dependently inhibited FOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in both superficial and deep layers within the spinal dorsal horn. Further, DSS reduced hypoalgesia in the injected paw from 1 to 3 days and produced anti-hyperalgesic actions in both the injected paw after 3 days and non-injected paw. These data suggest involvement of enhancement of descending pain inhibition by suppression of 5-HTT levels in the spinal dorsal horn and reduction of peripheral long-term inflammation, including paw edema and ulcers. These findings suggest that DSS may be a useful therapeutic agent for short- and long-term inflammation induced pain, through both anti-inflammatory and suppression of central sensitization mechanisms.

Danggui-Jakyak-San enhances hippocampal long-term potentiation through the ERK/CREB/BDNF cascade

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui-Jakyak-San (DJS), a traditional herbal prescription, has long been used to treat gerontological disorders due to insufficient blood supply.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Previously, we reported that DJS increased hippocampal neurogenesis and enhanced learning and memory. However, the precise mechanism of DJS and its effects on learning and memory are still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of DJS on hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular mechanism thought to underlie learning and memory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To understand the effect of DJS on LTP, we used acute mouse hippocampal slices and delivered one train of high frequency stimulation (100 Hz, 100 pulses). Western blots were used to analyze the changes in protein levels induced by DJS. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the effect of DJS on spatial long-term memory.

RESULTS

DJS enhanced LTP in the Schaffer-collateral pathway of the hippocampus in a concentration-dependent manner. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) were activated by DJS. Moreover, brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) was also increased by DJS. Blockade of ERK1/2 activation with PD198306 blocked the DJS-induced activation of the ERK1/2/CREB/BDNF cascade and LTP enhancement. In vivo, DJS improved spatial long-term memory and upregulated the hippocampal CREB/BDNF cascade.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that DJS enhances hippocampal LTP and spatial memory through the ERK/CREB/BDNF cascade.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and quality control of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep: a review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rhizoma alismatis (simplified as RA, "Zexie" in Chinese, ) is a well-known natural medicine with long history in Chinese medicine. As a traditional medicine in China, RA is an important part of many prescriptions and has been commonly used for treating a wide range of ailments related to dysuria, edema, nephropathy, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, inflammation as well as tumor in clinical applications. Based on scientific literatures, the present paper aims to provide comprehensive and up-to date information about the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and quality control of RA as well as critical analysis of the research. The review will provide a new foundation and direction for the further studies of RA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All available information about RA was supplied by library database and electronic search (ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Pubmed, Google Scholar, etc.). The different types of useful information were collected and arranged in corresponding part of the paper.

RESULTS

Phytochemical studies showed that the main chemical composition of RA was the terpenoid including sesquiterpene, diterpene and triterpene. The crude extracts and isolated compounds from RA showed diverse pharmacological activities including diuretic, nephroprotective, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. However, high-dose or long-term use of RA can lead to water-electrolyte imbalance, bloody urine, acidosis and even hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, which have been proven by several studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacological researches show RA possessing various bioactivities including diuresis, nephroprotective effect, anti-hyperlipidemia, etc. However, more bioactive components especially diuretic and nephroprotective compounds need to be isolated and identified, and more rigorous researches on action mechanisms are required. More experiments in vitro or in vivo and clinical studies are encouraged to clarify correlation between traditional uses and modern applications, and the toxicity need to be further and precisely explored. In addition, a standardized fingerprint for RA is indispensable and emergent. These achievements will further expand to therapeutic potential and usage of RA and provide a powerful support for clinical use.

Herbal medicine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Associated with the aging of our world population is a sharp increase in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease, which not only poses a significant health issue but also presents a serious social problem. Although pharmacological treatments were developed based on existing hypotheses, the disease pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. Given the complexity of Alzheimer's disease, Chinese herbal medicine appears to have therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease through multi-target and multi-pathway approach at cellular and molecular levels and holistic adjustment of the body at organ system levels. Recently, a significant breakthrough has been made in the research of Chinese medicine for Alzheimer's disease. In this article, we review the experimental research progress in understanding how Chinese medicine could be used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

History and experience: a survey of traditional chinese medicine treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is practiced in the Chinese health care system for more than 2,000 years. In recent years, herbal medicines, which are used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) in China based on TCM or modern pharmacological theories have attracted considerable attention. In this paper, we discuss etiology and pathogenesis of AD, TCM therapy, and herbal extracts for the treatment of AD. There is evidence to suggest that TCM therapy may offer certain complementary cognitive benefits for the treatment of AD. Chinese herb may have advantages with multiple target regulation compared with the single-target antagonist in view of TCM.

The effects of Zibu Piyin Recipe components on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in the mouse

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Zibu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) is derived from Zicheng Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula recorded in the book of Bujuji, written by Wu Cheng in the Qing dynasty and used for clinical treatment of amnesia. Our aim was to study the effects of Zibu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) fractions on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment in the mouse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Crude extracts were prepared using various solvents, and individual fractions produced following D101 macroporous resin column chromatography. The passive avoidance task, step down test and Morris water maze test were then performed in mice for the evaluation of learning and memory alterations. The effective fractions were then analyzed using GC-MS and polysaccharide measurement methods, respectively.

RESULTS

The treatment group latency for the alcohol precipitation from water part (EP) and 95% ethanol part (95%E) following D101 macroporous resin column chromatography was significantly prolonged when compared to that of the scopolamine treated groups for both the passive avoidance task and step down test. In the Morris water maze tests, treatment with EP and 95%E resulted in a significantly shorter escape latency time (from the fourth day and the second day) and swimming distance (on the third day and from the third day) in scopolamine-induced mice. In the memory retention test, treatment with EP and 95%E dramatically shortened the latency to cross platform location and increased the numbers of platform location crosses in the scopolamine-induced mice. The polysaccharide content in EP was determined to be 69.79%. The 95%E was found to mainly contain asarone, α-cadinol, isocalamendiol, 2,4,7,14-tetramethyl-4-vinyl-tricyclo[5.4.3.0(1,8)]tetradecan-6-ol, 3-isopropyl-6,7-dimethyltricyclo[4.4.0.0(2,8)]decane-9,10-diol, 2-methyl-9-(prop-1- -en-3-ol-2-yl)-bicyclo[4.4.0]dec-2-ene-4-ol, diepicedrene-1-oxide, 7-methoxy-6-(3- -methyl-2-oxobutyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one and diisooctyl phthalate when assessed using GC-MS analysis.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the polysaccharide and volatile oil present in ZBPYR exhibit ameliorating effects on scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction.

Dangguijakyak-San Protects against 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6,-tetrahydropyridine-Induced Neuronal Damage via Anti-Inflammatory Action

Dangguijakyak-san (DJS), a famous traditional Korean multiherbal medicine, has been used to treat gynecological and neuro-associated disease. Recent studies demonstrated that DJS has multiple bioactivities including neuroprotection. In the present study, we were to investigate the effect of DJS and its mechanism in an in vitro and in vivo model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In primary mesencephalic culture system, DJS attenuated the dopaminergic cell damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine toxicity, and it inhibited production of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF- α ), nitric oxide (NO), and activation of microglial cells. Then, we confirmed the effect of DJS in a mouse PD model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In the pole test, DJS at 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days showed increase of motor activity showing shortened time to turn and locomotor activity compared with the MPTP only treated mice. In addition, DJS significantly protected nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron from MPTP stress. Moreover, DJS showed inhibition of gliosis in the substantia nigra pars compacta. These results have therapeutic implications for DJS in the treatment of PD via anti-inflammatory effects.

Mechanistic study on the antidepressant-like effect of danggui-shaoyao-san, a chinese herbal formula

Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS), a famous Chinese herbal formula, has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases. Previous studies have shown that DSS produces antidepressant-like effect in rodents. This study aims to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying the antidepressant-like action of DDS. The results showed that DSS treatment significantly antagonized reserpine-induced ptosis in mice. In addition, DSS treatment significantly increased sucrose consumption in chronic unpredictable stress- (CUS-) treated mice. DSS treatment also markedly attenuated CUS-induced decreases in noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations in mouse brain. Furthermore, DSS treatment significantly reversed CUS-induced increase in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content and decrease in serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in mice. The results suggest that the antidepressant-like activity of DSS is probably mediated by the modulation of central monoamine neurotransmitter systems and the reduction of oxidative stress.

Danggui-Shaoyao-San ameliorates cognition deficits and attenuates oxidative stress-related neuronal apoptosis in d-galactose-induced senescent mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS), a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of six herbal medicines, has been used to treat gynecological disorders and neural dysfunctions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of DSS on cognitive ability and oxidative stress-related neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of aging mice induced by d-galactose (d-gal) to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethanol extract of DSS (DE) were orally administered to d-gal-induced senescent mice for six weeks. The cognitive ability was determined by the methods of step-down type passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and levels of carbonyl protein (CP), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were also examined. Furthermore, the expression of apoptotic related proteins in hippocampus of d-gal-treated mice, such as Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 proteins, were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

DE at the doses of 1.8, 3.6 and 7.2g/kg significantly enhanced the cognitive performances and restored the abnormal activities of SOD and NOS and levels of CP, MDA, GSH and NO induced by d-gal. Moreover, the neural apoptosis in the hippocampus of d-gal-treated mice was improved by DE through regulating the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that DE has neuroprotective effects in d-gal-induced senescent mice by ameliorating oxidative stress induced neuronal apoptosis in the brain.

Dangguijakyak-san protects dopamine neurons against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neurotoxicity under postmenopausal conditions

Dangguijakyak-san protects dopamine neurons against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neurotoxicity under postmenopausal conditions.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dangguijakyak-san (DJS), a famous traditional herbal formula, has long been used to treat gynecological disorders, including postmenopausal symptoms. This study evaluated the effects and mechanism of DJS on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity in a postmenopausal mouse model induced by ovariectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three weeks after ovariectomy, C57bl/6 female mice were divided randomly into (1) control, (2) MPTP (30 mg/kg/day, i.p., 5 days), (3) MPTP+estrogen (50 μg/kg/day, i.p., 5 days), and (4) MPTP+DJS (50 mg/kg/day, p.o., 5 days) groups. We investigated the behavioral recovery and dopamine neuron protection of DJS using the pole test and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry. We also explored the mechanism by assessing the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3.

RESULTS

DJS treatment restored the movement behavior impaired by MPTP, showing a similar or better effect than estrogen. DJS protected TH-immunoreactive cells and fibers in the nigrostriatal region from MPTP toxicity. In addition, DJS inhibited the Bcl-2 decrease and Bax increase in mitochondria, cytochrome c release to the cytosol, and caspase-3 activation induced by MPTP.

CONCLUSIONS

DJS showed behavior recovery and dopamine neuron protection against MPTP-induced toxicity via anti-apoptotic activities in ovariectomized female mice. These results suggest that DJS treatment is effective for postmenopausal neurodegenerative diseases.

Autocrine motility factor receptor is involved in the process of learning and memory in the central nervous system

The autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) is a multifunctional protein involved in cellular adhesion, proliferation, motility and apoptosis. Our study showed that increased AMFR protein expression in the hippocampus of KM mice correlated with enhanced capacity for learning and memory following the shuttle-box test and was significantly elevated in the highest score group. Also, AMF and AMFR mRNA expression positively correlates with the mRNA expression of the synapse marker synaptophysin (Syp). Aging studies in the senescence-accelerated mouse strain (SAM) prone/8 (SAMP8), an animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), revealed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of AMF and AMFR in the hippocampus. This is especially true for AMFR and AMF protein expression compared with age-matched SAM resistant/1 (SAMR1) mouse strain as the control. Additionally, the low mRNA expression of AMFR could be up-regulated by the four nootropic traditional Chinese medicinal prescriptions (TCMPs): Ba-Wei-Di-Huang decoction (BW), Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction (HL), Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San (DSS) and Tiao-Xin-Fang decoction (TXF). AMFR protein expression could be up-regulated by two TCMPs, Liu-Wei-Di-Huang decoction (LW) and BW. This indicated that AMFR is involved in the process of learning and memory in the central nervous system. These results may provide useful clues for understanding the etiology of AD.

Anti-depression effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San, a fixed combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine, on depression model in mice and rats

Anti-depression effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS, 1.8-7.2g/kg, orally), a famous Chinese compound prescription with a fixed combination, on forced swimming test (FST) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model were investigated. DSS (7.2g/kg, orally, 7 days) shortened immobility time in FST model and DSS (3.6 or 7.2g/kg, orally, 21 days) increased the open-field activities and the percentage of sugar preference in CUMS model. DSS (7.2g/kg, orally, 21 days) also decreased the content of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the pituitary and the expression of AVP mRNA in hypothalamus compared with the stress control group. These results demonstrated for the first time DSS has anti-depression effect and it may be influencing the central AVP system.

Pharmacokinetic properties of albiflorin and paeoniflorin after oral administration of pure compound, Radix Paeoniae alba extract and danggui-shaoyao-san extract to rats

This study compared the pharmacokinetics of albiflorin (ALB) and paeoniflorin (PAE), respectively, after oral administration of ALB, PAE, Radix Paeoniae alba (RPA) extract, and Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) extract to rats on separate occasions. Analytes were detected simultaneously with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. After oral administration of RPA and DSS extract to rats, ALB reached maximum concentrations of 4637 ± 2774 ng/ml (0.40 ± 0.14 h) and 226 ± 122 ng/ml (0.35 ± 0.14 h) and PAE reached maximum concentrations of 2132 ± 560 ng/ml (0.40 ± 0.14 h) and 143 ± 65 ng/ml (0.45 ± 0.11 h), respectively. Compared to the AUC(0 - t) value (1122 ± 351 and 722 ± 158 ng h/ml for ALB and PAE, respectively) after administration of monomers, larger AUC(0 - t) value of ALB (4755 ± 2560 ng h/ml) and PAE (2259 ± 910 ng h/ml) after administration of RPA extract and smaller AUC(0 - t) value of ALB (411 ± 118 ng h/ml) and PAE (242 ± 126 ng h/ml) after administration of DSS extract were obtained. The C(max), AUC, and K(el) of ALB and PAE were remarkably increased (P < 0.05, 0.01 or 0.005) during oral administration of RPA extract in comparison to that of DSS extract.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Fuzhisan on autologous neural stem cells in the brain of SAMP-8 mice

Fuzhisan (FZS), a Chinese herbal complex prescription, has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) for more than 16 years. However the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. The effects of the aqueous extract of FZS on the cognitive functions of the aged mice and the pharmacological basis for its therapeutic efficacy were investigated. The results showed that FZS improved impaired cognitive ability of aged SAMP-8 mice. FZS (2.4, 4.8 g/kg/d) increased hippocampal neurogenesis and the long-term survival of BrdU-labeled cells without affecting the proportion of BrdU-positive neurons and glial cells. FZS also increased the number of BrdU-positive cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles of 8-month-old SAMP-8 mice. These studies suggest that FZS upregulates neurogenesis by increasing proliferation of neural progenitor cells and prolonging survival of the newborn cells in the hippocampal DG. FZS may be beneficial for the treatment of senile dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease.

Dangguijakyak-san, a medicinal herbal formula, protects dopaminergic neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity

AIM OF THE STUDY

Dangguijakyak-san (DJS) is a multi-herbal formula that has long been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine to treat gynecologic disorders, including neurological symptoms. Recent clinical and experimental studies have reported aging and anti-neurodegenerative effects of DJS. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of DJS on dopaminergic (DA) neurons damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To evaluate the protective effects of DJS, we analyzed viability in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining in primary DA cells. To explore the possible mechanism(s) of neuroprotection, we assessed anti-oxidant activity by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. To determine mitochondria-mediated apoptotic activity, we examined mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation.

RESULTS

DJS at 0.05-5 μg/mL significantly protected SH-SY5Y cells from 6-OHDA toxicity, dose-dependently, and attenuated 6-OHDA damage in primary DA cells. DJS reduced 6-OHDA-induced intracellular ROS production and GSH depletion and inhibited mitochondrial membrane instability, cytosolic cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that DJS has neuroprotective effects in DA neurons against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through anti-oxidant and anti-mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic activities.

Traditional used Plants against Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by progressive memory deficits, impaired cognitive function, and altered and inappropriate behavior. Aging represents the most important risk factor for AD and the global trend in the phenomenon of population aging has dramatic consequences for public health, healthcare financing, and delivery systems in the word and, especially in developing countries. Mounting evidence obtained in in vitro and in vivo studies, suggests that various traditionally used plants in Asia, India, and Europe significantly affect key metabolic alterations culminating in AD-typical neurodegeneration. The present article aims to bring the reader up-to-date on the most recent studies and advances describing the direct and indirect activities of traditional used plants and its constituents possibly relieving features of AD. A variety of traditional used plants and its extracts exerted activities on AD related drug targets including AChE activity, antioxidative activity, modulation of Aβ-producing secretase activities, Aβ-degradation, heavy metal chelating, induction of neurotrophic factors, and cell death mechanisms. Although pre-clinical investigations identified promising drug candidates for AD, clinical evidences are still pending.

Effect of traditional Chinese herbal Bu-Wang-San on synaptic plasticity in ovariectomised rats

Objectives

The neuroprotective effects of Bu-Wang-San (BWS) and its effects on spine synapse plasticity were investigated in ovariectomised rats.

Methods

Thirty-six ovariectomised rats were divided into three groups: untreated controls, treatment with 17β-estradiol or with BWS. After 3 months, spatial acquisition and spatial retention were measured using the Morris water maze. Swim time, swim distance, swim speed, quadrant time and platform crossing were recorded. Spine synapse density in the hippocampus was examined by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of synaptophysin P38 (P38) mRNA was examined by real-time PCR and the protein expression of P38 was examined by Western blot.

Key findings

In spatial acquisition and spatial retention, the BWS group functioned significantly better than the control group. Ultrastructural observation of the hippocampus showed that BWS significantly increased spine synapse density compared with the ovariectomised group. In addition, BWS significantly increased P38 mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus. Thus, the positive effect of BWS on learning and memory in rats was associated with increased spinal synapse density and increased P38 mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus following menopause-induced injury.

Conclusions

These results suggest that BWS could improve cognitive ability following menopause-induced impairment of learning and memory.

Danggui-Shaoyao-San, a traditional Chinese prescription, suppresses PGF2alpha production in endometrial epithelial cells by inhibiting COX-2 expression and activity

Danggui-Shaoyao-San, a famous traditional Chinese prescription, has been widely used in China for treating various gynecological inflammatory diseases including dysmenorrhea, but it is still poorly understood how it works on those inflammatory disorders. Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)), one important mediators of inflammation, plays crucial roles in the pathological mechanism responsible for dysmenorrhea. Here, we demonstrate that Danggui-Shaoyao-San significantly suppresses oxytocin-evoked PGF(2alpha) production of rat endometrial epithelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, Danggui-Shaoyao-San-mediated down-regulation of cyclooxygenases-2 message RNA transcription, protein expression and enzyme activity in endometrial epithelial cells may be involved in the inhibitory effect on PGF(2alpha) production. Our study provides a possible mechanism for the bioactivity of Danggui-Shaoyao-San for treating dysmenorrhea and other gynecological disorders.

Age-related expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II A in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of senescence accelerated mouse prone/8 mice is modulated by anti-Alzheimer's disease drugs

Senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) prone/8 (SAMP8) is a good animal model to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of age-related learning and memory deficits such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) at the gene and protein levels, and SAM resistant/1 (SAMR1) is its normal control. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-alpha (CaMKIIalpha) is one of the most abundant subunits of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and is closely linked to AD. In this study, we used real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot techniques to examine the expression of CaMKIIalpha mRNA and protein in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of SAMP8 both with aging and following treatment with anti-AD drugs (for example, natural product huperzine A (HupA) and traditional Chinese medicinal prescription Liu-Wei-Di-Huang decoction (LW), Ba-Wei-Di-Huang decoction (BW), Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction (HL), Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San (DSS) and Tiao-Xin-Fang decoction (TXF)). The results showed that the levels of both CaMKIIalpha mRNA and protein decreased significantly in the cerebral cortex of SAMR1 with aging, but increased significantly in the cerebral cortex of SAMP8. Compared with age-matched SAMR1, the expression of mRNA and protein of CaMKIIalpha significantly increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of SAMP8 after 10 months of age. After SAMP8 was treated with the previously mentioned drugs, the abnormally high expression of CaMKIIalpha was relatively down-regulated. These results indicated that the expression of CaMKIIalpha in the brain of SAMP8 was abnormal and that this abnormality could be reversed with anti-AD drugs. These data suggest that CaMKIIalpha may play an important role in the age-related cognitive deterioration in AD, and may be a potential targets for anti-AD drugs.

The effects of an herbal medicine Bu-Wang-San on learning and memory of ovariectomized female rat

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Bu-Wang-San (BWS) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of learning and memory impairment. The effect of BWS on neuroprotection and how BWS increases CA1 dendritic spine synapse density in menopaused women was investigated in the model of ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen OVX rats were divided into two groups, the OVX group and OVX+BWS group. After 3 months, Morris water maze was used to assess spatial acquisition and spatial retention. Swim time, swim distance, swim speed, quadrant time and platform crossing were recorded. The ultrastructure of the pyramidal cell and spine synapse density were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTS

In the spatial acquisition and spatial retention phase of testing, BWS group functioned significantly better than control group. Ultrastructural observation of the hippocampal CA1 region of OVX group showed swelling of mitochondria, the broken and reduced cristas and even crista dissolution; however, the mitochondria were protected well in BWS group. In addition, BWS significantly increased spine synapse density.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that BWS could improve cognitive ability of menopause-induced learning and memory impairment. The positive effect of BWS on rat learning and memory was associated with increase of spinal synapse density and protection of mitochondrial function of the pyramidal cell in hippocampal CA1 region from menopause-induced injury.

Age-related expression of STUB1 in senescence-accelerated mice and its response to anti-Alzheimer's disease traditional Chinese medicine

Increasing evidences have indicated that STUB1 may be closely linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Senescence-accelerated mice (SAM) prone/8 (SAMP8) is a generally acknowledged animal model for senescence and AD, and SAM resistant/1 (SAMR1) is its control. In this study, we investigated the detailed expression of STUB1 in the brain of SAMP8 with aging and its responses to five anti-AD traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM), using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot technique. Results showed that with the aging process, both mRNA and protein expression of STUB1 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus from SAMR1 increased after 2 months, while they decreased in brain tissues from SAMP8 after 6 months. Compared with SAMR1, the mRNA and protein expression of STUB1 decreased after 10 months in SAMP8 but could be up-regulated by the five anti-AD TCM used in this study. These results indicated that the expression of STUB1 in the brain of SAMP8 was abnormal and this abnormality could be reversed by anti-AD TCM. The data suggested that a deficiency in STUB1 may lead to a reduction in aberrant protein scavenging, causing abnormal protein accumulation in the brain of SAMP8. Thus, STUB1 might be a potential target for anti-AD TCM.

The angiogenic effects ofAngelica sinensis extract on HUVEC in vitro and zebrafish in vivo

Angiogenesis plays an important role in a wide range of physiological processes such as wound healing and fetal development. Many diseases are associated with imbalances in regulation of angiogenesis, in which it is either excessive or there is insufficient blood vessel formation. Angelica sinensis (AS), commonly used in the prescriptions of Chinese medicine, is a potential candidate for curing such diseases. However, biological effects of AS on angiogenesis and underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated. This investigation describes the angiogenic effects of AS extract on human endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro and zebrafish in vivo. The extract was demonstrated, by XTT assay and microscopic cell counting, to stimulate the proliferation of HUVEC; in addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated that the extract increased the percentage of HUVEC in the S phase. The wound healing migration assay illustrated that a dramatic increase in migration could be measured in AS extract-treated HUVEC. Meanwhile, the number of invaded cells and the mean tube length were significantly increased in AS extract treatment groups. The extract was also demonstrated to promote changes in subintestinal vessels (SIVs) in zebrafish, one feature of angiogenesis. In addition, AS extract was found by real-time PCR to enhance vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression. In a bead-based immunoassay, higher levels of p38 and JNK 1/2 expression were also observed in effusions compared with control cells. All results suggest that Angelica sinensis extract can promote angiogenesis, and that the angiogenic effects involve p38 and JNK 1/2 phosphorylation.

Quantitative determination of atractylenolide III in rat plasma by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Atractylenolide III is a major active component in Atractylodes macrocephala. This paper describes a simple, rapid, specific and sensitive method for the quantification of atractylenolide III in rat plasma using a liquid-liquid extraction procedure followed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometric (LC-MS) analysis. A Kromasil 3.5 microm C(18) column (150 mm x 2.00 mm) was used as the analytical column. Linear detection responses were obtained for atractylenolide III concentration ranging from 5 to 500 ng L(-1). The precision and accuracy data, based on intra-day and inter-day variations over 5 days were within 10.29%. The lower limit of quantitation for atractylenolide III was 5 ng mL(-1), using 0.1 mL plasma for extraction and its recoveries were greater than 85% at the low, medium and high concentrations. The method has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats after an oral administration of atractylenolide III with a dose of 20.0 mg kg(-1). With the lower limits of quantification at 5 ng mL(-1) for atractylenolide III, this method was proved to be sensitive enough for the pharmacokinetics study of atractylenolide III.