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Kuboyama T, Yang X, Tohda C. Natural Medicines and Their Underlying Mechanisms of Prevention and Recovery from Amyloid Β-Induced Axonal Degeneration in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4665. [PMID: 32630004 PMCID: PMC7369795 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloid β (Aβ) induces axonal degeneration, neuronal network disruption, and memory impairment. Although many candidate drugs to reduce Aβ have been clinically investigated, they failed to recover the memory function in AD patients. Reportedly, Aβ deposition occurred before the onset of AD. Once neuronal networks were disrupted by Aβ, they could hardly be recovered. Therefore, we speculated that only removal of Aβ was not enough for AD therapy, and prevention and recovery from neuronal network disruption were also needed. This review describes the challenges related to the condition of axons for AD therapy. We established novel in vitro models of Aβ-induced axonal degeneration. Using these models, we found that several traditional medicines and their constituents prevented or helped recover from Aβ-induced axonal degeneration. These drugs also prevented or helped recover from memory impairment in in vivo models of AD. One of these drugs ameliorated memory decline in AD patients in a clinical study. These results indicate that prevention and recovery from axonal degeneration are possible strategies for AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoharu Kuboyama
- Section of Neuromedical Science, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; (T.K.); (X.Y.)
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, 22-1 Tamagawa-cho, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan
| | - Ximeng Yang
- Section of Neuromedical Science, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; (T.K.); (X.Y.)
| | - Chihiro Tohda
- Section of Neuromedical Science, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Sugitani 2630, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; (T.K.); (X.Y.)
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Devkar ST, Kandhare AD, Sloley BD, Jagtap SD, Lin J, Tam YK, Katyare SS, Bodhankar SL, Hegde MV. Evaluation of the bioavailability of major withanolides of Withania somnifera using an in vitro absorption model system. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2015; 6:159-64. [PMID: 26605156 PMCID: PMC4630722 DOI: 10.4103/2231-4040.165023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, shows several pharmacological properties which are attributed mainly to the withanolides present in the root. The efficacy of medicinally active withanolides constituents depends on the absorption and transportation through the intestinal epithelium. We examined these characteristics by employing the Sino-Veda Madin-Darby canine kidney cells culture system, which under in vitro condition shows the absorption characteristics similar to the human intestinal epithelium. Thus, the aim of the present investigation was to assess the bioavailability of individual withanolides. Withanolides were diluted in Hank's buffered saline at a concentration of 2 μg/ml were tested for permeability studies carried out for 1 h duration. Permeability was measured in terms of efflux pump (Peff) in cm/s. Peff values of withanolide A (WN A), withanone (WNN), 1,2-deoxywithastramonolide (1,2 DWM), withanolide B (WN B), withanoside IV-V (WS IV-V), and withaferin A were 4.05 × 10−5, 2.06 × 10−5, 1.97 × 10−5, 1.80 × 10−5, 3.19 × 10−6, 3.03 × 10−6 and 3.30 × 10−7 respectively. In conclusion, the nonpolar and low molecular weight compounds (WN A, WNN, 1,2 DWM, and WN B) were highly permeable. As against this, the glycosylated and polar WS IV and WS V showed low permeability. Surprisingly and paradoxically, the highly biologically active withaferin A was completely impermeable, suggesting that further studies possibly using human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells may be needed to delineate the absorption characteristics of withanolides, especially withaferin A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh T Devkar
- Centre for Innovation Nutrition Health Disease - Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Medical College Campus, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Amit D Kandhare
- Department of Pharmacology, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Brian D Sloley
- SinoVeda Canada Inc. Suite 100, BBDC 2011-94 Street Edmonton, AB T6N 1H1 Canada
| | - Suresh D Jagtap
- Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Herbal Biotechnology Research Laboratory, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Medical College Campus, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - James Lin
- SinoVeda Canada Inc. Suite 100, BBDC 2011-94 Street Edmonton, AB T6N 1H1 Canada
| | - Yun K Tam
- SinoVeda Canada Inc. Suite 100, BBDC 2011-94 Street Edmonton, AB T6N 1H1 Canada
| | - Surendra S Katyare
- Centre for Innovation Nutrition Health Disease - Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Medical College Campus, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Subhash L Bodhankar
- Department of Pharmacology, Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mahabaleshwar V Hegde
- Centre for Innovation Nutrition Health Disease - Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Medical College Campus, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Nootropic potential of Ashwagandha leaves: Beyond traditional root extracts. Neurochem Int 2015; 95:109-18. [PMID: 26361721 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Rapidly increasing aging population and environmental stressors are the two main global concerns of the modern society. These have brought in light rapidly increasing incidence of a variety of pathological conditions including brain tumors, neurodegenerative & neuropsychiatric disorders, and new challenges for their treatment. The overlapping symptoms, complex etiology and lack of full understanding of the brain structure and function to-date further complicate these tasks. On the other hand, several herbal reagents with a long history of their use have been asserted to possess neurodifferentiation, neuroregenerative and neuroprotective potentials, and hence been recommended as supplement to enhance and maintain brain health and function. Although they have been claimed to function by holistic approach resulting in maintaining body homeostasis and brain health, there are not enough laboratory studies in support to these and mechanism(s) of such beneficial activities remain largely undefined. One such herb is Ashwagandha, also called "Queen of Ayurveda" for its popular use in Indian traditional home medicine because of its extensive benefits including anticancer, anti-stress and remedial potential for aging and neurodegenerative pathologies. However, active principles and underlying mechanism(s) of action remain largely unknown. Here we provide a review on the effects of Ashwagandha extracts and active principles, and underlying molecular mechanism(s) for brain pathologies. We highlight our findings on the nootropic potential of Ashwagandha leaves. The effects of Ashwagandha leaf extracts are multidimensional ranging from differentiation of neuroblastoma and glioma cells, reversal of Alzheimer and Parkinson's pathologies, protection against environmental neurotoxins and enhancement of memory.
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Devkar S, Jagtap S, Katyare S, Hegde M. Estimation of antioxidant potential of individual components present in complex mixture ofWithania somnifera(Ashwagandha) root fraction by thin-layer chromatography-2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl method. JPC-J PLANAR CHROMAT 2014. [DOI: 10.1556/jpc.27.2014.3.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Epimedium koreanum Extract and Its Constituent Icariin Improve Motor Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:731208. [PMID: 22956977 PMCID: PMC3432561 DOI: 10.1155/2012/731208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although cell transplantation strategies for spinal cord injury (SCI) using sources such as iPS cells and neural stem cells are focused as expectative therapies for SCI, the possibility of medication as more accessible and practical way should not be given up. We, therefore, aimed to develop medical sources for SCI. In this paper, we evaluated effects of a famous tonic herb, Epimedium koreanum, on motor dysfunction in spinal cord injury (SCI). The spinal cord was injured by contusion after laminectomy at T10 level. Oral administration of the methanol extract of E. koreanum significantly enhanced hindlimb function in SCI mice by short period treatment (for initial 3 days) and chronic treatment (21 days), although chronic treatment recovered the function more potently. Since it is well known that icariin is the major constituent in E. koreanum, icariin was administered orally to SCI mice for initial 3 days. Motor dysfunction was ameliorated by icariin treatment similarly to the methanol extract of E. koreanum. This paper is the first report to indicate E. koreanum is effective for recovery of motor function in SCI, and at least icariin is an active constituent.
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Current and future therapeutic strategies for functional repair of spinal cord injury. Pharmacol Ther 2011; 132:57-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Tohda C, Joyashiki E. Sominone enhances neurite outgrowth and spatial memory mediated by the neurotrophic factor receptor, RET. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 157:1427-40. [PMID: 19594760 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00313.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Orally administered withanoside IV (a compound isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera) improved memory deficits in mice with a model of Alzheimer's disease induced by the amyloid peptide Abeta(25-35). Sominone, an aglycone of withanoside IV, was identified as an active metabolite after oral administration of withanoside IV. We aimed to identify receptors or associated molecules of sominone, and to investigate the effects of sominone on memory in normal mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Phosphorylation levels of 71 molecules were compared between control and sominone-stimulated cortical cultured cells to search for target molecules of sominone. Object location memory and neurite density in the brain were evaluated in sominone-injected mice. KEY RESULTS Phosphorylation of RET (a receptor for the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, GDNF) was increased in neurons by sominone, without affecting the synthesis and secretion of GDNF. Knockdown of RET prevented sominone-induced outgrowths of axons and dendrites. After a single i.p. injection of sominone into normal mice, they could better memorize scenery information than control mice. Sixty minutes after sominone injection, RET phosphorylation was increased, particularly in the hippocampus of mice. After the memory tests, the densities of axons and dendrites were increased in the hippocampus by sominone administration. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Sominone could reinforce the morphological plasticity of neurons by activation of the RET pathway and thus enhance memory. Sominone, a compound with low molecular weight, may be a GDNF-independent stimulator of the RET pathway and/or a novel modulator of RET signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Tohda
- Division of Biofunctional Evaluation, Research Center for Ethnomedicine, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
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Tohda C. [Overcoming several neurodegenerative diseases by traditional medicines: the development of therapeutic medicines and unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2008; 128:1159-67. [PMID: 18670181 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.128.1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Ashwagandha (root of Withania somnifera) has been used for many purposes, it is mainly considered a tonic in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. This review focuses on the effects of compounds isolated from Ashwagandha on dementia models and on the spinal cord injury model. Our study demonstrated that the active constituents, withanolide A, withanoside IV, and withanoside VI, restored presynapses and postsynapses, in addition to both axons and dendrites in cortical neurons after Abeta(25-35)-induced injury. In vivo, oral withanolide A, withanoside IV, and withanoside VI (10 micromol/kg/day for 12 days) improved Abeta(25-35)-induced memory impairment, neurite atrophy, and synaptic loss in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in mice. Since spinal cord injury (SCI) is also difficult to treat, and therefore practical and curable strategies for SCI are desired. Oral treatment with withanoside IV improved locomotor functions in mice with SCI. In mice treated with withanoside IV (10 micromol/kg/day for 21 days), the axonal density and peripheral nervous system myelin level increased. The loss of CNS myelin and increase in reactive gliosis were not affected by withanoside IV. Additionally, sominone, an aglycone of withanoside IV, was identified as the main metabolite after oral administration of withanoside IV in mice. Withanolide A, withanoside IV, and withanoside VI are therefore important candidates for the therapeutic treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, withanoside IV was shown to control neurons as well as glial cells for reconstruction neuronal networks. To clarify key events in overcoming neurodegeneration, we are now studying the molecular targets and signal cascades of sominone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Tohda
- Division of Biofunctional Evaluation, Research Center for Ethnomedicine, Insitute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama City, Japan.
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