Article

The advances in neuropharmacology research of Herba Cistanches

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  • University at Buffallo
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Article
OBJECTIVE: To establish the processing method of Cistanche Herba decoction pieces. METHODS: Orthogonal test of 4 factors and 3 levels was used to optimize the main influencial factors of processing Cistanches Herba decoction pieces, including softening method, drying method and temperature, and thickness of the pieces. RESULTS: The optimized process was to soft the crude drugs of Cistanches Herba by vapor for 2 h, cut them into pieces with 6 mm thickness, then heat them at 70 °C in an oven. CONCLUSION: This processing method is stable and reproducible, which is feasible for the industrial production.
Article
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of nitric oxide (NO), methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic acid (SA) on the phenylethanoid glycoside formation and growth of suspension cultures of Cistanche deserticola. METHODS: Suspension cell culture of C. deserticola was established and treatment using sodium nitroprusside (As NO donor), MJ and SA was carried out. Content determination of echinacoside and total phenylethanoid glycosides (PeGs) was performed using RP-HPLC and UV-spectrophotometer, respectively. RESULTS: NO could not enhance the accumulation of PeGs, but low concentration can promote cells growth. MJ and SA greatly enhanced the accumulation of PeGs and restricted the growth of cells. Besides, their optimal elicitation dosage and addition time were different. Maximal PeGs production was achieved with combined treatment using three elicitors at different cell growth stages (0. 05 mmol·L -1 sodium nitroprusside added on day 0,50 μmol·L -1 SA on 12 nd day and 20 μmol·L -1 MJ added on 16 th day). Under this combined treatment, dry weight, total PeGs and echinacoside yield was 1.42, 4.17 and 4.02 times of that in untreated cells. CONCLUSION: Three elicitors had different effects on the accumulation and growth of suspension cell culture, and the combined treatment of three elicitors resulted in significant increase of the yield of secondary metabolites in C. deserticola suspension cells.
Article
Cistanches Herba, known as “Ginseng of the desert”, is authenticated from the dried succulent stems of Cistanche deserticola and Cistanche tubulosa. As a famous remedy in China for tonic the kidney, it is used to treat “kidney-deficiency syndrome”-induced diseases such as infertility, forgetfulness, hearing lost, chronic constipation, etc‥ As various biological activities, including anti-aging, antioxidant, estrogenic, anti-osteoporotic, and anti-inflammation effects, have been discovered, here we reviewed Cistanches Herba in biological characteristics, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities.
Article
Aim: To study the protective effects of glycosides cistanche (GCs) on model of Alzheimers disease(AD) in mice induced by β-amyloid peptide (β-AP) and its mechanism. Methods: AD animal model was established by a single intracerebroventricular injection of micromolar doses of β-AP 25-35 in mice. After 10 days, a step-through type passive avoidance training was performed on the mice for one time, followed by a ability assessment of learning and memory; superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activities, gultathionine peroxides (GSH-Px) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in mice brain were also assessed; the pathological changes in the AD mice brain were observed by electronic microscopy; TUNEL method was used to observe the apoptosis of cells; the immunohistochemical SABC method was used to determine expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results: GCs markedly enhanced the ability of learning and memory which induce by β-AP in AD mice and increased the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, and reduced MDA contents in mice brain; GCs also ameliorated some pathological features of AD mice brain and significantly decreased cell apoptosis in mice brain. A decrease in the Bax expression and a increase in the Bcl-2 expression were also observed. Conclusions: GCs significantly improves the ability of learning and memory induced by β-AP in AD mice and its possible mechanism of action may involve: Enhancement of free radical scavengers; inhibition of lipid peroxidation; inhibition of β-AP precipitation and apoptosis in mice brain cells induced by β-AP.
Article
Aim: To study the effect of echinacoside on behavior and proteins expression from substantia nigra and striatal tissue in MPTP mouse model of Parkinsons disease (PD) and discover the mechanism of its potential dopaminergic neuroprotective effect in the protein level. Methods: The mouse model of PD was induced by 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and the behavioral analysis of C57BL/6 mice was performed by using spontaneous movement and rotarod test. A proteomic approach based on 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry (MS) and figure analysis was used to evaluate the effect of echinacoside on the behavior and the protein expression in substantia nigra and striatal tissue in C57BL/6 mice after MPTP administration. Results: Circled digit one Compared with control, MPTP lesion significantly reduced the number of spontaneous movement and latent period of mice on the rotating rod (both P < 0.01). Compared with MPTP model group, the number of spontaneous movement and latent period of mice on the rotating rod were significantly increased (both P < 0.01 ) in echinacoside-pretreated groups. Circled digit two Proteins extracted from striatal and substantia nigra tissue of the control, model and echinacoside treated mice were resolved in parallel on a 2-D gel and visualized by silver staining. The images were analyzed by using PDQuest software. Every specimen contained a total of more than 200 spots. Among the protein spots with significantly changed staining intensity, a spot was selected for MS analysis. It was identified as biliverdin reductase B. Conclusions: Echinacoside might be able to protect C57BL/6 mice against MPTP-induced behavioral default. The neuroprotective effect might be associated, at least partially, with decreasing the biliverdin reductase B level.
Article
Aim: To examine the effects of ECH on striatal extracellular levels of NE, DA, DOPAC, HIAA, HVA,5-HT in cerebral ischemia rats and its possible mechanisms of neuro-protective effect. Methods: Rats were divided into control, model, ECH high and low dose and CXQ groups randomly. Every rat was administered drugs or vehicle through introperitoneal injection, one time a day for seven consecutive days. At day 3 focal ischemia was generated by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Then the striatal extracellular fluids were gained by brain microdialysis. The methods of high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection were used to measure the striatal extracellular levels of NE, DA, DOPAC, HIAA, HVA, 5-HT. Results: The results showed that the level of NE,DA,5-HT increased rapidly,and sodid its metabolites DOPAC, HIAA, HVA accordingly. Compared with model, administration of ECH and CXQ successfully prevented the extracellular levels of NE, DA, DOPAC, HIAA, HVA, 5-HT from elevation induced. Conclusion: ECH can reduce monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites content of striatal extracellularlevels, which may be one of the mechanisms of anti-cerebral ischemia.
Article
Aim: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of acteoside against rotenone-induced cell damage in SH-SY5Y cells and the effect of acteoside on the expression of Parkinson disease (PD)-related proteins Parkin and α-Synuclein (α-Syn), and to discover the underlying molecular mechanism of neuroprotection by acteoside. Methods: The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured by spectroscopy. Expressions of Parkin and α-Syn were studied using Western blot analysis, and the distribution of α-Syn was analyzed using immunofluorescence technique. Results: Circled digit one Acteoside (10, 20 or 40 mg·L-1) pretreatment for 6 h markedly reduced the release of LDH induced by 0.5 μmol·L -1 rotenone; Circled digit two Treatment with 0.5 μmol·L-1 rotenone for 48 h led to significant Parkin cleavage and increased formation of α-Syn protein dimer; Circled digit three Pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with acteoside (10, 20 or 40 mg·L-1) for 6 h markedly reduced the cleavage of Parkin induced by 0.5 μmol·L-1 rote-none in a concentration- dependent manner, inhibited the aggregation of α-Syn and decreased α-Syn-positive SH-SY5Y cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that pretreatment of acteoside has a potent neuroprotective effect against rotenone-induced SH-SY5Y cells damage and its mechanism might involve in reducing the cleavage of Parkin and inhibitng α-Syn expression induced by rotenone.
Article
Aim: To study the neuroprotective effect of Acteoside against MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinsons disease (PD) and its mechanism. Methods: The behavioral testing of C57 mice was assessed using spontaneous movement and rotarod test. DA levels in striatum were measured using HPLC-EC. Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra were observed by immunohistochemical staining with an anti-Tyroxine hydroxylase (TH) antibody. Moreover, the mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of acteoside was investigated using Western blot analysis with an anti-α-synuclein antibody in the substantia nigra and striatum. Results: Circled digit one Compared with control, MPTP lesion significantly reduced the number of spontaneous movement and latent period of mice on the rotating rod (both P < 0.01 and DA levels in the striatum (P <0.01). Also there were less TH-immunoreactive signals in the substantia nigra, and α-synuclein levels in the substantia nigra and striatum were markedly decreased in MPTP-lesioned C57 mice. Circled digit two Compared with MPTP model group, the number of spontaneous movement and latent period of mice on the rotating rod were significantly increased (both P < 0.01) and DA levels in striatum raised (P < 0.05 and P <0.01 respectively) in acte oside-pretreated groups. Moreover, there were more TH-positive signals in the substantia nigra, and α-synuclein levels in the substantia nigra and striatum were significantly increased in MPTP-lesioned C57 mice pretreated with acteoside (30 mg·kg-1). Conclusions: Acteoside may be able to protect C57 mice against MPTP-induced neuronal damage. The neuroprotective effect might be associated with the up-regulation of α-synuclein level.
Article
Aim: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of verbascoside, one of the phenylethanoids isolated from the stems of Cistanche salsa, on MPP+-induced injury in SHSY5Y cells. Methods: SHSY5Y cells were exposed to various doses of verbascoside for 12 h, and then treated with 200 μmol · L-1 MPP+ for 24 h. The cell viability was observed with MTT assay; reactive oxygen species, the mitochondrial membrane potential and the percentage of apoptosis were measured by flowcytometer; the activation of caspase-3 was measured with the caspase-3 activity assay kit; the expression of Bcl-2 was measured with Western blot. Results: Following treatment with MPP+ for 24 h, MPP+ induced a significant decrease of cell viability; apoptosis percentage were 38.9%; accumulation of intracellular ROS, increase of caspase-3 activity and the decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected. However, pretreatment with verbascoside (0.1, 1 or 10 mg · L-1) for 12 h exhibited cytoprotective effects in a dose-dependent manner. Verbascoside obviously enhanced cell viability, and significantly reduced the number of cells labeled with Annexin-V. The percentage of apoptosis neurons was significantly decreased to 29.5%, 15.3% and 8.6% respectively. Flowcytometer showed the verbascoside attenuated the accumulation of ROS and the MPP+-induced collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential in SHSY5Y cells. And significant decreases were detected in caspase-3 activity compared with the MPP+-treated cells at the same time point. Moreover, pretreatment with verbascoside promoted the expression of Bcl-2. Conclusions: Verbascoside had the neuroprotective capacity to antagonize MPP+-induced apoptosis in SHSY5Y cells, and might be useful in treating Parkinson disease.
Article
Nerve growth factor (NGF) has potent biological activities such as preventing neuronal death, promoting neurite outgrowth, supporting synapse formation, and enhancing memory function. NGF and NGF-like molecules can potentially be used to treat neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia. This study investigated the effects of Cistanches Herba, a widely used medicinal herb, on NGF regulation and its neuronal actions, including neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, and learning and memory enhancement. Cistanches Herba extract (CHE; 250 μg/ml) increased NGF induction in C6 cells and led to neurite extension in PC12 cells. It also stimulated NGF secretion in the cortex and hippocampus of the mouse brain at 5 and 20mg/kg/day (3 days, p.o.). Furthermore, CHE increased neuronal cell differentiation, neurite length, and synapse formation in the mouse hippocampus. CHE significantly enhanced learning and memory, as demonstrated by passive avoidance test and novel object recognition test. These results suggest that CHE is useful for improving memory function via its action in upregulating NGF.
Article
To investigate the effect of Phenylethanoid glycosides (PEG) of the Cistanche deserticola on anti-aging in aged mice induced by D-galactose. Taking Vitamin E as the positive control, after administration of high and low dose of the PEG, detected the learning and memory ability, the activities of SOD, the content of MDA and organ index. Compared with the model group, the abilities of learning and memorizing were improved in PEG groups. The activity of SOD was enhanced significantly in serum and brain. The MDA content of liver and serum was decreased. The PEG also improved the Index of spleen and thymus. The PEG of Cistanche deserticola can enhance the ability of learning, memorizing, anti-oxidation, and improve immune function.
Article
The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) has been employed to create a Parkinson's disease-like model in both rodents and primates based primarily on its ability to create a striatal dopamine deficit due to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta. The present study was carried out to determine the possible effects of phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) from Cistanches salsa (C. A. MEY, G. BECK) on attenuating the serious behavioral disorder and increasing dopamine (DA) levels in the striata of MPTP-lesioned C57 mice. MPTP (30 mg/kg i.p. for 4 d) induced serious behavioral disorders and significantly reduced striatal DA levels in C57 mice. In spontaneous motor activity and rotarod tests, obvious behavioral differences were seen between control and model groups. PhGs (10, 50 mg/kg) significantly increased the spontaneous movement number and latent period of mice on the rotating rod (p<0.01). Injections of MPTP 30 mg/kg for 4 d caused a significant reduction in DA, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, and homovanillic acid in striata analyzed by HPLC-electrochemistry (p<0.01). The neurotoxic effects of MPTP were attenuated by pretreatment with PhGs (10, 50 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent fashion. The apparent neuroprotective effects of PhGs on nigral dopaminergic neurons were also confirmed by the results of immunohistochemical staining. The present in vivo data clearly demonstrate that PhGs can protect dopaminergic neurons against dopamine neurotoxicity induced by MPTP, as suggested by an earlier in vitro study. The neuroprotective effects of PhGs were the first reported for a natural product.