Isorhynchophylline (IRN), an oxindole alkaloid, has been identified as the main active ingredient responsible for the biological activities of Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq) Miq ex Havil. (Rubiaceae). Previous studies in our laboratory have revealed that IRN possesses potent neuroprotective effects in different models of Alzheimer's disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBeta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, one of the most important pathogenic traits of Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been reported to induce neurotoxicity in vitro as well as in vivo. Honokiol, isolated from the bark of Magnolia officinalis, has neuroprotective effects in different models of AD in vivo and in vitro. However, the exact mechanism for its neuroprotective effect is not well understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHonokiol, a lignan isolated from the bark of Magnolia officinalis, has been reported to ameliorate the learning and memory impairments in senesed (SAMP8) mice. However, whether honokiol could improve scopolamine (SCOP)-induced learning and memory deficits in mice is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether honokiol could reverse the SCOP-induced learning and memory impairments in mice and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIsorhynchophylline (IRN), an alkaloid isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla, has been reported to improve cognitive impairment induced by beta-amyloid in rats. However, whether IRN could also ameliorate the D-galactose (D-gal)-induced mouse memory deficits is still not clear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether IRN had potential protective effect against the D-gal-induced cognitive deficits in mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevious studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that piperine produced antidepressant-like action in various mouse models of behavioral despair, which was related to the serotonergic system. The present study aimed to examine the behavioral and biochemical effects of piperine in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS caused depression-like behavior in rats, as indicated by the significant decrease in sucrose consumption and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevious studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that piperine produced antidepressant-like action in various mouse models of behavioral despair. This study aimed to investigate the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling in the antidepressant-like effect of piperine in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS caused depression-like behavior in mice, as indicated by the significant decrease in sucrose consumption and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvid Based Complement Alternat Med
December 2013
The neurotoxicity of amyloid- β (A β ) has been implicated as a critical cause of Alzheimer's disease. Isorhynchophylline (IRN), an oxindole alkaloid isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla, exerts neuroprotective effect against Aβ 25-35-induced neurotoxicity in vitro. However, the exact mechanism for its neuroprotective effect is not well understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe progressive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the form of senile plaques has been recognized as a key causative factor leading to the cognitive deficits seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence indicates that Aβ induces neurotoxicity in the primary neuronal cultures as well as in the brain. Previously, we have demonstrated that isorhynchophylline (IRN), the major chemical ingredient of Uncaria rhynchophylla, possessed potent neuroprotective effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe have previously demonstrated that the total glycosides of peony exert antidepressant-like effects in animal models. Paeoniflorin is the main active glycoside of peony. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of paeoniflorin in a rat model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) and its active mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvid Based Complement Alternat Med
September 2012
Kai-xin-san (KXS), a Chinese herbal decoction being prescribed by Sun Simiao in Beiji Qianjin Yaofang about 1400 years ago, contains Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Polygalae Radix, Acori tatarinowii Rhizoma, and Poria. KXS has been used to treat stress-related psychiatric disease with the symptoms of depression and forgetfulness in ancient China until today. However, the mechanism of its antidepression action is still unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvid Based Complement Alternat Med
August 2012
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvid Based Complement Alternat Med
August 2012
Uncaria rhynchophylla is a component herb of many Chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous study in our laboratory has demonstrated that an ethanol extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla ameliorated cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease induced by D-galactose. However, the active ingredients of Uncaria rhynchophylla responsible for the anti-Alzheimer's disease activity have not been identified.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Mol Neurobiol
November 2012
Beta-Amyloid peptide (Aβ), a major protein component of brain senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been considered as a critical cause in the pathogenesis of AD. Pinostrobin, a potent flavonoid inducer, is the major and most active ingredient of Folium cajani. The present study aimed to investigate whether pinostrobin could provide protective effect against Aβ(25-35)-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the associated hippocampal atrophy were observed in patients with depression, which could be ameliorated by the treatment with antidepressants. Therefore, neuroprotection has been proposed to be one of the acting mechanisms of antidepressant. Our previous studies have showed that treating mice with piperine produced antidepressant-like effect in animal models of behavioral despair.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContext: Depression is a common psychiatric disorder, yet the clinical efficacy of antidepression therapies is unsatisfactory. Thus, the search for new anti-depressants continues, and natural products remain a promising source of new therapeutic agents. The root part of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuroprotection has been proposed as one of the acting mechanisms of antidepressants. Paeoniflorin, a monoterpene glycoside, has been reported to display antidepressant-like effects in animal models of behavioural despair. The present study aimed to examine the protective effect of paeoniflorin treatment on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRepeated injections of corticosterone (CORT) induce the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in depressive-like behavior. This study aimed to examine the antidepressant-like effect and the possible mechanisms of total glycosides of peony (TGP) in the CORT-induced depression model in rats. The results showed that the 3-week CORT injections induced the significant increase in serum CORT levels in rats.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBeta-amyloid peptide (Aβ), a major protein component of senile plaques, has been considered as a critical cause in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Modulation of the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity has emerged as a possible therapeutic approach to ameliorate the onset and progression of AD. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of isorhynchophylline, an oxindole alkaloid isolated from a Chinese herb Uncaria rhynchophylla, on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOur previous studies have showed that treating mice with piperine significantly decreased the immobility time of the animals in the forced swim test and tail suspension test, which was related to up-regulation of serotonin (5-HT) level in the brain. The purpose of this study is to explore the contribution of 5-HT receptors in the antidepressant-like effect of piperine. The results showed that pre-treating mice with methiothepin (a non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist, 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEthnopharmacological Relevance: Cortex Phellodendri is derived from the dried bark of Phellodendron chinense Schneid. or Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Traditionally, Cortex Phellodendron Chinensis (CPC) and Cortex Phellodendron Amurensis (CPA) are used interchangeably under the name "Huang Bai" for the treatment of gastroenteritis, abdominal pain or diarrhea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe stem with hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla is a component herb of many traditional formulae for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, scientific evidence of the efficacy of Uncaria rhynchophylla in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in animal models is lacking. Thus, in the present study, we investigated whether the 70 % aqueous ethanol extract of Uncaria rhynchophylla (EUR) could protect against D-galactose (D-gal)-induced cognitive deficits in mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
June 2011
Piperine is a major alkaloid of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) and long pepper (P. longum Linn.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA rat model of depression has been recently developed using exogenous corticosterone (CORT) administration. This study aimed to examine the antidepressant-like effect and the possible mechanisms of curcumin in a CORT-induced depression model in rats. The results showed that 3-week CORT injections caused depression-like behavior in rats, as indicated by the significant decrease in sucrose consumption and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo identify key proteins involved in the hepatoprotection afforded by schisandrin B (Sch B), we used a proteomic approach to screen proteins that were specifically regulated by Sch B in mouse livers and to investigate the role of the proteins in hepatoprotection. Thirteen proteins were specifically activated or suppressed by Sch B treatment. Among the 13 proteins, Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) was postulated to be the key regulator involved in the development of hepatotoxin-induced cellular damage.
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