Paeonol attenuates inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity and microglial activation

Chronic activation of microglial cells endangers neuronal survival through the release of various proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors. The root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall has been considered useful for the treatment of various disorders in traditional oriental medicine. Paeonol, found in the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, has a wide range of pharmacological functions, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of paeonol in the repression of inflammation-induced neurotoxicity and microglial cell activation. Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures and primary microglial cells from rat brain were stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Paeonol pretreatment was performed for 30 minutes prior to lipopolysaccharide addition. Cell viability and nitrite （the production of nitric oxide）, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-lbeta products were measured after lipopolysaccharide treatment. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, paeonol blocked lipopolysaccharide-related hippocampal cell death and inhibited the release of nitrite and interleukin-lbeta. Paeonol was effective in inhibiting nitric oxide release from primary microglial cells. It also reduced the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and intefleukin-1β from microglial cells. Paeonol possesses neuroprotective activity in a model of inflammation-induced neurotoxicity and reduces the release of neurotoxic and proinflammatory factors in activated microglial cells.

Berberine inhibits inflammatory activation of rat brain microglia

Chronic activation of microglial cells endangers neuronal survival through the release of various proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors. Berberine, the effective ingredient of Coptidis Rhizoma and Cortex Phellodendti, has a wide range of pharmacological functions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-cancer effects. The neuroprotective potential of berberine has previously been demonstrated. The present study aimed to examine whether berberine could repress microglial activation and can be considered a potential therapeutic candidate to target neurodegenerative diseases. Primary microglial cells and BV2 microglial cells were cultured and stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Berberine chloride was treated prior to LPS or simultaneously with LPS stimulation. Results revealed that berberine was effective at inhibiting nitric oxide release from primary microglial cells when cells were exposed to the compound prior to LPS or simultaneously with LPS. It also reduced the LPS-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, prostaglandin E2, and intracellular reactive oxygen species and nuclear factor-kappa activation. Additionally, berberine reduced nitric oxide release from microglia stimulated with interferon-γ and amyloid β. These results suggest that berberine provides neuroprotection by reducing the production of various neurotoxic molecules from activated microglia.

Scutellaria baicalensis in Stroke Management:Nature's Blessing in Traditional Eastern Medicine

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is the most widely used medicinal plant in traditional Eastem medicine, especially in Chinese medicine. The major phytochemicals isolated from S. baicalensis are flavonoids, glycosides and their glucoronides such as baicalin, baicalein, wogonin etc. More than 30 different kinds of flavonoids are isolated from this plant. S. baicalensis and its flavonoids are reported to have several pharmacological activities, which includes anti-allergic, antioxidant, anti apoptic, anti-inflammatory effects and many more. Recently, S. baicalensis and its isolated flavonoids have been studied for their neuroprotective effects, through a variety of in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases, plausibly suggesting that S. baicalensis has salutary effect as a nature＇s blessing for neuroprotection. In this review, we are focousing on the neuroprotective effects of S. baicalensis and its flavonoids in ischemia or stroke-induced neuronal cell death. We aimed at compiling all the information regarding the neuroprotective effect of S. baicalensis in various experimental models of cerebral ischemia or stroke.

Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Herbal Medicine on Cerebral Ischemia:A Perspective of Vascular Protection

Although many agents for acute ischemic stroke treatment have been developed from extensive preclinical studies, most have failed in clinical trials. As a result, researchers are seeking other methods or agents based on previous studies. Among the various prospective approaches, vascular protection might be the key for development of therapeutic agents for stroke and for improvements in the efficacy and safety of conventional therapies. Traditional medicines in Asian countries are based on clinical experiences and literature accumulated over thousands of years. To date, many studies have used traditional herbal medicines to prove or develop new agents based on stroke treatments mentioned in traditional medicinal theory or other clinical data. In the current review, we describe the vascular factors related to ischemic brain damage and the herbal medicines that impact these factors, including Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, Notoginseng Radix, and Curcumae Rhizoma, based on scientific reports and traditional medical theory. Further, we point out the problems associated with herbal medicines in stroke research and propose better methodologies to address these problems.

Effect of the herbal medicine Danggui Sini plus Wuzhuyu Shengjiang Tang on erythrocyte deformability in normal subjects: a cross-over trial

OBJECTIVE: To show whether Danggui Sini plus Wuzhuyu Shengjiang Tang(DSWST) has any transient effect on erythrocyte deformability in normal subjects.METHODS: A total of 25 subjects [mean age(27.8± 1.8) years] was enrolled in this study. The study was designed as a cross-over trial in which the subjects took part for 2 d. On the first day, blood samples were collected at baseline and 1-2 h after administration of water, whereas, on the second day, instead of water, the subjects were administered DSWST after the baseline blood sampling. The blood samples collected at baseline and after the administration water or DSWST, were examined for erythrocyte deformability.RESULTS: The elongation index increased significantly after 2 h(P = 0.009) compared to the baseline after DSWST intake. However, after water intake, there was no significant differenceobserved. When comparing the percent change of erythrocyte deformability between DSWST and water, we found that after 2 h of administration,DSWST improved erythrocyte deformability significantly compared to water(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: DSWST has a transient effect on erythrocyte deformability in normal subjects.

Brain Activity Associated with Memory and Cognitive Function During Jaw-Tapping Movement in Healthy Subjects Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

Objective： TO determine whether jaw-tapping movement, a classically described as an indication of personal well-being and mental health, stimulates the memory and the cognitive regions of the brain and is associated with improved brain performance. Methods： Twelve healthy right-handed female subjects completed the study. Each patient performed a jaw-tapping task and an n-back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）. The subjects were trained to carry out the jaw-tapping movement at home twice a day for 4 weeks. The fMRI was repeated when they returned. Results： During the first and second jaw-tapping session, both sides of precentral gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus （BA 6） were activated. And during the second session of the jaw-tapping task, parts of frontal lobe and temporal lobe related to memory function were more activated. In addition, the total percent task accuracy in n-beck task significantly increased after 4 weeks of jaw- tapping movement. After jaw-tapping training for 4 weeks, brain areas related to memory showed significantly increased blood oxygen level dependent signals. Conclusion： Jaw-tapping movement might be a useful exercise for stimulating the memory and cognitive regions of the brain.

Current Research and Future Directions in Pattern Identification： Results of an International Symposium

A symposium on pattern identification（PI）was held at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine（KIOM）on October 2,2013,in Daejeon,South Korea.This symposium was convened to provide information on the current research in PI as well as suggest future research directions.The participants discussed the nature of PI,possible research questions,strategies and future international collaborations in pattern research.With eight presentations and an extensive panel discussion,the symposium allowed participants to discuss research methods in traditional medicine for PI.One speaker presented the topic,＇Clinical pattern differentiation and contemporary research in PI.＇Two speakers presented current trends in research on blood stasis while the remaining five other delegates discussed the research methods and future directions of PI research.The participants engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the nature of PI,potential research questions,strategies and future international collaborations in pattern research.

Uhwang Chungsim Won Decreases Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent fMRI Signal Response to A Motor Stimulation Task

Objectives： TO evaluate the effect of Uhwang Chungsim Won [UC, Niuhuang Qingxin Pill （牛黄清心丸] on the blood oxygen level-dependent （BOLD） functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） signal response to a motor stimulation task using a hand grasping paradigm. Methods： Ten healthy right-handed male volunteers were recruited. Their BOLD fMRI signal characteristics during hand grasping were determined before and 1 h after consuming UC. Results： With the administration of UC, BOLD responses to the right hand motor task showed a decrease in both hemispheres including the right cerebellar culmen, right and left medial frontal gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, right and left sublobar insula, right and left posterior cingulate, left precuneus, and right precentral gyrus. Decreased BOLD responses to the left hand motor task were shown in the right lingual gyrus, right cerebellar culmen, left superior temporal gyrus, right and left middle frontal gyrus, and right precentral gyrus after UC administration. Increased BOLD responses to the left hand motor task were shown in the left and right posterior cingulate, while there was no increased response to the right hand motor task after UC administration. Conclusions： UC administration significantly decreased fMRI BOLD signal responses to hand grasping in most of the brain areas including the primary motor cortex, but it is not clear whether these decreased responses were caused by a decrease in neuronal activities or by an increase in cerebral blood flow due to the cerebral vasodilatory effects of UC. Further studies using positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography are needed to fully elucidate these findings.

Neuroprotective Effect of Chunghyuldan(Qing Xue Dan)on Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Induced Damage of Neuroblastoma 2a Cell Lines

Objectives： Chunghyuldan （CHD）, a combinatorial drug that has anti-hyperlipidemic and anti inflammatory activities, has been shown to reduce infarct volume in a focal ischemia-reperfusion rat model. To explore the molecular basis of CHD＇s neuroprotective effect, we examined whether CHD shows a cell-protective activity and has a regulatory effect on Bax and/or B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） expression in mouse neuroblastoma 2a （N2a） cells subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation （H/R）. Methods： In order to evaluate the effects of CHD on the cytotoxicity induced from hypoxia or H/R condition, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） assay was performed. To explore whether the suppression of neural damage when pre-treated with CHD is associated with its anti-apoptotic effect, the CHD effect on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was analyzed by Western blotting analysis. Results： Cytotoxicity of N2a cell line was slightly increased in 42 h hypoxia condition and dramatically increased under the H/R condition. CHD treatment markedly decreased the cytotoxicity in both conditions （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. H/R markedly increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, but slightly increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, compared with the normoxia or hypoxia group. CHD significantly decreased Bax expression （P〈0.01） and slightly decreased Bcl-2 expression （P〉0.05）, resulted in a reduction of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in N2a cells subjected to H/R. Conclusion： CHD has neuroprotective effect in N2a cells subjected to H/R, which might be derived at least in part from its ability to decrease the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bax.