Network-guided analysis of hippocampal proteome identifies novel proteins that colocalize with Aβ in a mice model of early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques accumulation. Numerous pharmacological interventions targeting Aβ plaques accumulation have failed to alleviate AD. Also, the pathological alterations in AD start years before the onset of clinical symptoms.

L-DOPA sensitizes vasomotor tone by modulating the vascular alpha1-adrenergic receptor.

Blood pressure is regulated by extrinsic factors including noradrenaline, the sympathetic neurotransmitter that controls cardiovascular functions through adrenergic receptors. However, the fine-tuning system of noradrenaline signaling is relatively unknown. We here show that l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), a precursor of catecholamines, sensitizes the vascular adrenergic receptor alpha1 (ADRA1) through activation of L-DOPA receptor GPR143.

Anti-aggressive activity of methyl jasmonate and the probable mechanism of its action in mice.

This study examines the anti-aggressive activity of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and its probable mechanism of action in mice. Male mice that showed aggression after housing individually with female counterparts for 3 weeks or kept in isolation for 4 weeks were treated with MJ, vehicle or haloperidol (HP) 60 min before the test for aggression. Effects of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) or fluoxetine (FL) given alone or in combination with MJ were also investigated.

Psychopharmacological properties of an aqueous extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum Hutch. & Dalziel in mice.

The extract of the nut of Tetracarpidium conophorum (TC), commonly known as African walnut, is widely used to relieve pain, increase sperm count, enhance sexual performance in males and as a nerve tonic in ethnomedicine. This study describes the psychopharmacological properties of the aqueous extract of the nut of TC in mice. The spectrum of activities studied were the effects of TC on the duration of immobility in the forced swim test of the behavioural despair model of depression; prolongation of the duration of sleep produced by thiopentone; amphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour; and on pain episodes produced by acetic acid and by formalin.

Antidepressant activity of methyl jasmonate, a plant stress hormone in mice.

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) is a hormone released by plants in response to external stress, injury or pathogenic invasions. This present investigation evaluated the antidepressant effect of intraperitoneal doses of MJ in mice. Mice were given MJ in the doses of 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg daily for 7 days and then subjected to forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and yohimbine lethality test (YLT).

Evaluation of the anti-stress and anticonvulsant activities of leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia in mice.

Aim Of The Study: The extract of the leaves of Alchornea cordifolia (AC) is extensively used in ethnomedicine for ulcers, rheumatic pains, febrile convulsions and for enhancing physical performance. In this study, the anti-stress and anticonvulsant activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia were investigated in mice.

Materials And Methods: The anti-stress activity was assessed based on the ability of the extract to alter the duration of immobility, in the forced swim endurance test, whilst a picrotoxin-treated animal, was employed as the model for convulsive seizures.