Anti-tumor effect of beta-elemene in glioblastoma cells depends on p38 MAPK activation.

beta-Elemene, a natural plant drug extracted from Curcuma wenyujin, has been used as an antitumor drug for different tumors, including glioblastoma. However, the mechanism of its anti-tumor effect is largely unknown. Here we report that anti-proliferation of glioblastoma cells induced by beta-elemene was dependent on p38 MAPK activation.

[Influence of elemene on the expression of Bcl-2 family genes in rat C6 glioma cells].

Objective: To observe the effects of elemene on the induction of apoptosis in rat C6 glioma cells and its influence on expression of Bcl-2 family genes.

Methods: Rat C6 glioma cells were cultured. Elemene of the concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 microg/ml were added for 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours respectively.

Essential role of TRPC channels in the guidance of nerve growth cones by brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to promote neuronal survival and differentiation and to guide axon extension both in vitro and in vivo. The BDNF-induced chemo-attraction of axonal growth cones requires Ca2+ signalling, but how Ca2+ is regulated by BDNF at the growth cone remains largely unclear. Extracellular application of BDNF triggers membrane currents resembling those through TRPC (transient receptor potential canonical) channels in rat pontine neurons and in Xenopus spinal neurons.