Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript (CART) Peptide Plays Critical Role in Psychostimulant-Induced Depression.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a widely distributed neurotransmitter expressed in the central nervous systems. Previously, several reports demonstrated that nucleus accumbal-injected CART peptide positively modulated behavioral sensitization induced by psychostimulants and regulated the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathway. It is confirmed that CART peptide exerted inhibitory effect on psychostimulant-enhanced dopamine receptors signaling, Ca/calmodulin-dependent kinase signaling and crucial transcription factors expression.

Sleep-Aids Derived from Natural Products.

Although drugs such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines are often used for the treatment of insomnia, they are associated with various side effects such as habituations, tolerance and addiction. Alternatively, natural products with minimal unwanted effects have been preferred for the treatment of acute and/or mild insomnia, with additional benefits of overall health-promotion. Basic and clinical researches on the mechanisms of action of natural products have been carried out so far in insomnia treatments.

Piperlongumine Improves Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Amyloidogenesis by Suppressing NF-KappaB Pathway.

Amyloidogenesis is known to cause Alzheimer's disease. Our previous studies have found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis through activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB). Piperlongumine (PL) is an alkaloid amide found naturally in long pepper (Piper longum) isolates; it was reported to have inhibitory effects on NF-κB activity.

Administration of Alpha-Casein Hydrolysate Increases Sleep and Modulates GABA Receptor Subunit Expression.

Sleep is the most basic and essential physiological requirement for mental health, and sleep disorders pose potential risks of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Tryptic hydrolysate of α-casein (α-CH) has been shown to possess stress relieving and sleep promoting effects. However, the differential effects of α-CH on electroencephalographic wave patterns and its effects on the protein levels of γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA) receptor subtypes in hypothalamic neurons are not well understood.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide in the nucleus accumbens shell inhibits cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization to transient over-expression of α-Ca /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a widely distributed neurotransmitter that attenuates cocaine-induced locomotor activity when injected into the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Our previous work first confirmed that the inhibitory mechanism of the CART peptide on cocaine-induced locomotor activity is related to a reduction in cocaine-enhanced phosphorylated Ca /calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseIIα (pCaMKIIα) and the enhancement of cocaine-induced D3R function. This study investigated whether CART peptide inhibited cocaine-induced locomotor activity via inhibition of interactions between pCaMKIIα and the D3 dopamine receptor (D3R).

Sinomenine, an Alkaloid Derived from Potentiates Pentobarbital-Induced Sleep Behaviors and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) Sleep in Rodents.

has been long used in the preparations of traditional medicine in Japan, China and Korea for the treatment of various disorders including rheumatism, fever, pulmonary diseases and mood disorders. Recently, it was reported that , has sedative and anxiolytic effects mediated by GABA-ergic systems. These experiments were performed to investigate whether sinomenine (SIN), an alkaloid derived from enhances pentobarbital-induced sleep via γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic systems, and modulates sleep architecture in mice.

(E)-2-Methoxy-4-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-1-en-1-yl) Phenol Ameliorates LPS-Mediated Memory Impairment by Inhibition of STAT3 Pathway.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by an excessive accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) fibrils within the brain. We tested the anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic effects of (E)-2-methoxy-4-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-1-en-1-yl) phenol (MMPP), a selective signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor. We examined whether MMPP (5 mg/kg in drinking water for 1 month) prevents amyloidogenesis and cognitive impairment on AD model mice induced by intraperitoneal LPS (250 μg/kg daily 7 times) injections.

KRICT-9 inhibits neuroinflammation, amyloidogenesis and memory loss in Alzheimer's disease models.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia and is characterized by neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis. Here we investigated the effects of KRICT-9 on neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis in and AD models. We found that KRICT-9 decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in microglial BV-2 cells and astrocytes while reducing nitric oxide generation and expression of inflammatory marker proteins (iNOS and COX-2) as well as APP, BACE1, C99, Iba-1, and GFAP.

A New Insight into the Role of CART in Cocaine Reward: Involvement of CaMKII and Inhibitory G-Protein Coupled Receptor Signaling.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides are neuropeptides that are expressed in brain regions associated with reward, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and play a role in cocaine reward. Injection of CART into the NAc can inhibit the behavioral effects of cocaine, and injecting CART into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) reduces cocaine-seeking behavior. However, the exact mechanism of these effects is not clear.

Inhibitory Effect of Carnosol on Phthalic Anhydride-Induced Atopic Dermatitis via Inhibition of STAT3.

Carnosol is a phenolic antioxidant present in rosemary (). It is known for anti-inflammatory effects, analgesic activity and anti-cancer effects. However, no study has been dedicated yet to its effect on atopic dermatitis (AD).

Parkin deficiency exacerbate ethanol-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration by P38 pathway dependent inhibition of autophagy and mitochondrial function.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Parkin (which encoded by Park2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is the most frequently mutated gene that has casually been linked to autosomal recessive early onset familial PD. We tested the effect of Park2 on ethanol-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Park2 knockout (KO) transgenic mice after chronic ethanol feeding.

Potentiation of decursinol angelate on pentobarbital-induced sleeping behaviors the activation of GABA-ergic systems in rodents.

Angelicae Gigantis Radix (AGR, ) has been used for a long time as a traditional folk medicine in Korea and oriental countries. Decursinol angelate (DCA) is structurally isomeric decursin, one of the major components of AGR. This study was performed to confirm whether DCA augments pentobarbital-induced sleeping behaviors via the activation of GABA-ergic systems in animals.

Rosmarinic Acid Potentiates Pentobarbital-Induced Sleep Behaviors and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) Sleep through the Activation of GABA-ergic Systems.

It has been known that RA, one of major constituents of which has been used as a traditional folk remedy for sedation in oriental countries, shows the anxiolytic-like and sedative effects. This study was performed to know whether RA may enhance pentobarbital-induced sleep through γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic systems in rodents. RA (0.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) attenuates the hemodynamics stimulated by caffeine through decrease of catecholamines release.

A human study of the effects on hemodynamics of caffeine and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) was performed. Caffeine tablets (200 mg) were orally administered to healthy males aged between 25 and 35 years 30 min after oral administration of EGCG tablets (100 and 200 mg). The increase in BP induced by caffeine was inhibited when co-administrated with EGCG.

Inhibitory effect of thiacremonone on MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration through inhibition of p38 activation.

Neuroinflammation is implicated for dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Sulfur compounds extracted from garlic have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, we have investigated that thiacremonone, a sulfur compound isolated from garlic has anti-inflammatory effects on several inflammatory disease models.

Decreased Caffeine-Induced Locomotor Activity via Microinjection of CART Peptide into the Nucleus Accumbens Is Linked to Inhibition of the pCaMKIIa-D3R Interaction.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the inhibitory modulation of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides, particularly with respect to the function of the D3 dopamine receptor (D3R), which is activated by its interaction with phosphorylated CaMKIIα (pCaMKIIα) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). After repeated oral administration of caffeine (30 mg/kg) for five days, microinjection of CART peptide (0.08 μM/0.

CCR5 knockout suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease in which myelin in the spinal cord is damaged. C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) is implicated in immune cell migration and cytokine release in central nervous system (CNS). We investigated whether CCR5 plays a role in MS progression using a murine model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), in CCR5 deficient (CCR5-/-) mice.

CCR5 deficiency accelerates lipopolysaccharide-induced astrogliosis, amyloid-beta deposit and impaired memory function.

Chemokine receptors are implicated in inflammation and immune responses. Neuro-inflammation is associated with activation of astrocyte and amyloid-beta (Aβ) generations that lead to pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). Previous our study showed that deficiency of CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) results in activation of astrocytes and Aβ deposit, and thus memory dysfunction through increase of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) expression.

Inhibition of p38 pathway-dependent MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in estrogen receptor alpha knockout mice.

Approximately, 7-10 million people in the world suffer from Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, increasing evidence has suggested the protective effect of estrogens against nigrostriatal dopaminergic damage in PD. In this study, we investigated whether estrogen affects 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced behavioral impairment in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-deficient mice.

Acceleration of amyloidogenesis and memory impairment by estrogen deficiency through NF-κB dependent beta-secretase activation in presenilin 2 mutant mice.

Nearly 7-10 million people are living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide. Senile plaques composed of β-amyloid (Aβ) are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Presenilin 2 (PS2) mutations increase Aβ generation in the brains of AD patients.

Bee venom ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced memory loss by preventing NF-kappaB pathway.

Background: Accumulation of beta-amyloid and neuroinflammation trigger Alzheimer's disease. We previously found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused neuroinflammation with concomitant accumulation of beta-amyloid peptides leading to memory loss. A variety of anti-inflammatory compounds inhibiting nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) activation have showed efficacy to hinder neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis.

Thiacremonone Potentiates Anti-Oxidant Effects to Improve Memory Dysfunction in an APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice Model.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by excessive accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide. Evidence suggests that amyloid accumulation can be caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. In this study, we examined neuroprotective effects of thiacremonone, an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compound isolated from garlic.

Predominant D1 Receptors Involvement in the Over-expression of CART Peptides after Repeated Cocaine Administration.

The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of dopaminergic receptors (DR) in behavioral sensitization, as measured by locomotor activity, and the over-expression of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides after repeated administration of cocaine in mice. Repeated administrations of cocaine induced behavioral sensitization and CART over-expression in mice. The levels of striatal CART mRNA were significantly increased on the 3(rd) day.

Alleviation of kainic acid-induced brain barrier dysfunction by 4-o-methylhonokiol in in vitro and in vivo models.

This experiment was designed to investigate whether 4-O-methylhonokiol (MH), a principal ingredient of Magnolia (M.) officinalis bark, alleviated acute intraperitoneal (i.p.

Gastrodiae Rhizoma Ethanol Extract Enhances Pentobarbital-Induced Sleeping Behaviors and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep via the Activation of GABA A -ergic Transmission in Rodents.

This research was designed to identify whether Gastrodiae Rhizoma ethanol extract (GREE) enhances pentobarbital-induced sleep via  γ-aminobutyric acid- (GABA-) ergic systems and modulated sleep architectures in animals. GREE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, p.o.