Kirsten Wright

Oregon Health and Science University | OHSU · Department of Neurology

Introduction: Centella asiatica is an herbaceous plant reputed in Eastern medicine to improve memory. Preclinical studies have shown that C. asiatica aqueous extract (CAW) improves neuronal health, reduces oxidative stress, and positively impacts learning and cognition. This study aimed to develop and validate bioanalytical methods for detecting kn...

Background Centella asiatica is a medicinal plant traditionally used for promoting brain health and improving cognition. Our lab has shown that a water extract of Centella asiatica (CAW), can enhance mitochondrial function, promote antioxidant response, and improve cognitive deficits in mouse models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because ne...

Centella asiatica is reputed in Eastern medicine to improve cognitive function in humans. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that aqueous extracts of C. asiatica improve cognition in mouse models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through the modulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-depende...

Botanical products are frequently sold as dietary supplements and their use by the public is increasing in popularity. However, scientific evaluation of their medicinal benefits presents unique challenges due to their chemical complexity, inherent variability, and the involvement of multiple active components and biological targets. Translation awa...

Due to an increase in the aging population, age-related diseases and age-related changes, such as diminished cognition and sleep disturbances, are an increasing health threat. It has been suggested that an increase in oxidative stress underlies many of these changes. Current treatments for these diseases and changes either have low efficacy or have...

Centella asiatica is an herb used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for its beneficial effects on brain health and cognition. Our group has previously shown that a water extract of Centella asiatica (CAW) elicits cognitive-enhancing effects in animal models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease, including a dose-related effect of CAW on memo...

Background Withania somnifera (WS), also known as Ashwagandha, is commonly used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. WS has seen an increase in public use worldwide due to its reputation as an adaptogen. This popularity has elicited increased scientific study of its biological effects, including a potential application for neuropsych...

Background: The medicinal herb Centella asiatica has been long been used for its neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing effects. We have previously shown that two weeks of treatment with a water extract of Centella asiatica (CAW) improves cognition and activates the endogenous antioxidant response pathway without altering amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque bu...

The water extract of Centella asiatica (CAW) can improve cognitive and mitochondrial function and activate the NRF2 regulated antioxidant response pathway in aged mice. Here we investigate whether NRF2 activation is required for the cognitive and mitochondrial effects of prolonged CAW exposure during aging. Five month old NRF2 knockout (NRF2KO) and...

Background Centella asiatica (CA) is a botanical from Eastern medicine reputed to enhance cognition. Preclinical studies on CA and its bioactive components (triterpenoids and caffeoylquinic acids) strongly support its potential as a phytotherapeutic agent for aging, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) through influences on antioxidant r...

Centella asiatica (CA) is an edible plant and a popular botanical dietary supplement. It is reputed, in Ayurveda, to mitigate age-related cognitive decline. There is a considerable body of preclinical literature supporting CA’s ability to improve learning and memory. This study evaluated the contribution of CA’s triterpenes (TT), widely considered...

Centella asiatica (CA) shows considerable promise for development as a botanical drug for cognitive decline. Its primary bioactive components include triterpene glycosides asiaticoside and madecassoside and their corresponding aglycones asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Exploration of the bioactivity of CA's caffeoylquinic acids is ongoing. In this...

Introduction The phytochemical composition of plant material governs the bioactivity and potential health benefits as well as the outcomes and reproducibility of laboratory studies and clinical trials. Objective The objective of this work was to develop an efficient method for the in‐depth characterisation of plant extracts and quantification of m...

Centella asiatica (CA) herb is a traditional medicine, long reputed to provide cognitive benefits. We have reported that CA water extract (CAW) treatment improves cognitive function of aged Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model Tg2576 and wild-type (WT) mice, and induces an NRF2-regulated antioxidant response in aged WT mice. Here, CAW was administered to...

Oxidative stress (OS), when oxidative forces outweigh endogenous and nutritional antioxidant defenses, contributes to the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Evidence of OS is found during acute relapses, in active inflammatory lesions, and in chronic, longstanding plaques. OS results in both ongoing inflammation and neurodegeneration. Anti...

Centella asiatica is a medicinal plant used to enhance memory. We have previously shown that a water extract of Centella asiatica (CAW) attenuates β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced spatial memory deficits in mice and improves neuronal health. Yet the effect of CAW on other cognitive domains remains unexplored as does its in vivo mechanism of improving Aβ-rela...

Background: Diabetic neuropathy (DN), a common complication of diabetes mellitus, results from hyperglycemia, poor microcirculation and attendant nerve damage. Currently available treatments relieve symptoms, but do not modify the neurodegeneration underlying DN. Centella asiatica (CA) triterpenes improved microcirculation in earlier clinical stud...

This review describes in detail the phytochemistry and neurological effects of the medicinal herb Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. C. asiatica is a small perennial plant that grows in moist, tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world. Phytochemicals identified from C. asiatica to date include isoprenoids (sesquiterpenes, plant sterols, pen...

Training in fundamental laboratory methodologies is valuable to medical students because it enables them to understand the published literature, critically evaluate clinical studies, and make informed decisions regarding patient care. It also prepares them for research opportunities that may complement their medical practice. The National College o...

Training in fundamental laboratory methodologies is valuable to medical students because it enables them to understand the published literature, critically evaluate clinical studies, and make informed decisions regarding patient care. It also prepares them for research opportunities that may complement their medical practice. The National College o...

Purpose Classical Chinese herbal therapy uses herb combinations within formulas based upon the belief that there is a synergistic effect between herbs. Herbal pairs and combinations may change the hydrophobicity and ion concentration of the decoction. These changes may increase extraction of constituents from other herbs within the formula. Further...

Flower reversion is the result of genetic or environmental effects that reverse developmental steps in the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive phase in plants. Here, we describe peculiar floral abnormalities, homeotic conversions, and flower reversion in several wild-type accessions of the natural allopolyploid Arabidopsis suecica. M...

Allopolyploids contain complete sets of chromosomes from two or more different progenitor species. Because allopolyploid hybridization can lead to speciation, allopolyploidy is an important mechanism in evolution. Meiotic instability in early-generation allopolyploids contributes to high lethality, but less is known about mitotic fidelity in allopo...