Protective effects of components of the Chinese herb grassleaf sweetflag rhizome on PC12 cells incubated with amyloid-beta42

The major ingredients of grassleaf sweetflag rhizome are β-asarone and eugenol, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect neurons. This study aimed to observe the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of β-asarone and eugenol, components of the Chinese herb grassleaf sweetflag rhizome, on PC12 cells. First, PC12 cells were cultured with different concentrations（between 1 × 10–10 M and 1 × 10–5 M） of β-asarone and eugenol. Survival rates of PC12 cells were not significantly affected. Second, PC12 cells incubated with amyloid-beta42, which reduced cell survival, were cultured under the same conditions（1 × 10–6 M β-asarone and eugenol）. The survival rates of PC12 cells significantly increased, while expression levels of the m RNAs for the pro-apoptotic protein Bax decreased, and those for the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl m RNA increased. In addition, the combination of β-asarone with eugenol achieved better results than either component alone. Our experimental findings indicate that both β-asarone and eugenol protect PC12 cells through inhibiting apoptosis, and that the combination of the two is better than either alone.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Evolution of Interfacial Dislocation Network and Stress Distribution of a Ni-Based SingleCrystal Superalloy

The evolution of misfit dislocation network at γ/γ＇ phase interfaces and the stress distribution characteristics of Ni-based single-crystal superalloys under different temperatures of 0, 100 and 300 K are studied by molecular dynamics （MD） simulation. It was found that a closed three-dimensional misfit dislocation network appears on the γ/γ＇ phase interfaces, and the shape of the dislocation network is independent of the lattice mismatch. Under the influence of the temperature, the dislocation network gradually becomes irregular, a/2 [110] dislocations in the γ matrix phase emit and partly cut into the γ＇ phase with the increase in temperature. The dislocation evolution is related to the local stress field, a peak stress occurs at γ/γ＇ phase interface, and with the increase in temperature and relaxation times, the stress in the γ phase gradually increases, the number of dislocations in the γ phase increases and cuts into γ＇ phase from the interfaces where dislocation network is damaged. The results provide important information for understanding the temperature dependence of the dislocation evolution and mechanical properties of Ni-based single-crystal superalloys.