AI Article Synopsis

  • The study highlights the neuroprotective benefits of flavonoids, such as anti-apoptosis in nerve cells, reducing neuroinflammation, and improving cognitive function.
  • Researchers found that Rhus vernciflua extract, particularly the flavonoid-rich ethyl acetate fraction (PREF), can reduce glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and enhance memory by targeting specific pathways in the brain.
  • Key flavonoids like fisetin and butein from the extract boost antioxidant defenses, indicating their potential as therapeutic options for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.

Article Abstract

The neuroprotective potential of flavonoids within the brain comprises anti-apoptosis of neuronal cells, anti-neuroinflammation and enhancement of cognitive function. We reported that Rhus vernciflua inhibits glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells. Here we narrowed it down to get neuroprotective fractions from the plant yielding flavonoid-rich ethyl acetate fraction (PREF). Among its active flavonoids, fisetin exhibited not only inhibitory effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 but also memory enhancing effects via reactivation of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB)-brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway in memory-impaired mice by scopolamine. Butein also showed a similar activity to fisetin even though to a lesser extent. The neuroprotection by PREF and selected flavonoids may involve maintenance of antioxidant defense mechanism including glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Conclusively, we demonstrate the R. vernciflua bark extract and its active flavonoids with potent neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects might be good therapeutic candidates as cognitive-enhancers.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2013.05.007DOI Listing

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