Neuroprotective role of (Val(8))GLP-1-Glu-PAL in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease.

The growth factor glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is neuroprotective in several animal models of neurodegeneration. Here, we analyzed the neuroprotective effects of a novel protease-resistant GLP-1 analogue, (Val(8))GLP-1-Glu-PAL, which has advantages over older analogues, such as improvement of hippocampal neurogenesis, glucose homeostasis, and insulin secretion. We established an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease using the mitochondrial stressor rotenone in primary cultured mouse neurons pretreated with (Val(8))GLP-1-Glu-PAL.

Geniposide prevents rotenone-induced apoptosis in primary cultured neurons.

Geniposide, a monomer extracted from gardenia and widely used in Chinese medicine, is a novel agonist at the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor. This receptor is involved in neuroprotection. In the present study, we sought to identify an anti-apoptotic mechanism for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

[Influence of storage conditions on the seed development of Corydalis yanhusuo].

Objective: To explore the influence of the storage conditions on the seed development of Corydalis yanhusuo.

Methods: The embryo formation process of the wild Corydalis yanhusuo was observed,and the germination rate of wild Corydalis yanhusuo seeds stored under different conditions was measured.

Results: The seed development of the wild Corydalis yanhusuo depended on the storage conditions.

Brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats: the role of iron overload and aquaporin 4.

Object: Brain edema formation following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) appears to be partly related to erythrocyte lysis and hemoglobin release. An increase of brain water content was associated with an increase of brain iron, which is an erythrocyte degradation product. Expression of AQP4 is highly modified in several brain disorders, and it can play a key role in cerebral edema formation.