Radix Angelica Sinensis extracts ameliorate scopolamine- and cycloheximide-induced amnesia, but not p-chloroamphetamine-induced amnesia in rats

Elucidating the promising role of traditional Chinese medicine in neuroprotection against oxidative stress encompassing Alzheimer's disease

Medicinal plants are being used from time immemorial for their therapeutic benefits and have immense value in the therapy of neurodegenerative disorders. One of the most important neurological disorders is Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is a major contributor to dementia and is accompanied by abundant oxidative stress in the brain tissue. A critical pathway to target the increased oxidative stress is to administer agents with antioxidant potential. Despite currently available clinical treatments to treat AD such as cholinesterase inhibitors or NMDA antagonists which address only the symptoms and cannot hamper disease progression, no efficient available clinical treatment can break the vicious cycle of oxidative stress and neurodegeneration till date. The main objective of presenting this review is that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acts as a promising candidate in breaking this vicious cycle and improves the quality of life of the debilitating patients. The active constituents of various herbs in TCM including Angelica sinensis, Radix polygalae, Polygala tenuifolia, and members of the Lamiaceae family have acquired experience of managing oxidative stress as indicated in the review for more than a thousand years now, and the preclinical and clinical evidence of their therapeutic potential has been highlighted in the review. Most importantly, Chinese herbs provide a multiple-target approach rather than a single-target approach and thus can target multiple pathways involved in AD at once. The Chinese herbs can definitely untangle the issues in the current therapy regimen of AD.

Modulation expression of tumor necrosis factor α in the radiation-induced lung injury by glycyrrhizic acid

To evaluate the ability of glycyrrhizic acid (GLA) to reduce the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), release on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein production in the lungs using GLA in response to irradiation were studied. The animals were divided into four groups: No treatment (NT group), GLA treatment only (GLA group), irradiation only (XRT group), and GLA treatment plus irradiation (GLA/XRT group). Rats were killed at different time points. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of TNF-α in the lungs (compared with non-irradiated lungs). An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) assay was used to measure the TNF-α protein level. The TNF-α mRNA expression in the lungs of the XRT rats was clearly higher at all-time points compared to the NT rats. The TNF-α mRNA expression in the lungs of the GLA/XRT rats was lower at all-time points compared to the XRT rats. Release of the TNF-α on protein level in the lungs of the XRT rats increased at all-time points compared to the NT rats. In contrast to the XRT rats, the lungs of the GLA/XRT rats revealed a reduction on TNF-α protein level at 6 h after irradiation. This study has clearly showed the immediate down-regulation of the TNF-α mRNA and protein production in the lungs using GLA in response to irradiation.

Ferulic acid reverses the cognitive dysfunction caused by amyloid β peptide 1-40 through anti-oxidant activity and cholinergic activation in rats

Cholinergic dysfunction and oxidation stress are the dominant mechanisms of memory deficit in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study describes how ferulic acid (FA) ameliorates cognitive deficits induced by mecamylamine (MECA), scopolamine (SCOP), central acetylcholinergic neurotoxin ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion (AF64A) and amyloid β peptide (Aβ1-40). This study also elucidates the role of anti-oxidant enzymes and cholinergic marker acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the reversal of FA from Aβ1-40-induced cognitive deficits in rats. At 100 mg/kg, FA attenuated impairment induced by MECA and SCOP plus MECA; however, this improvement was not blocked by the peripheral muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine methylbromide (M-SCOP). At 100 and 300 mg/kg, FA also attenuated the impairment of inhibitory passive avoidance induced by AF64A. Further, FA attenuated the performance impairment and memory deficit induced by Aβ1-40 in rats, as did vitamin E/C. FA reversed the deterioration of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and AChE activities, and the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the cortex and hippocampus. Vitamin E/C only selectively reversed deterioration in the hippocampus. We suggest that FA reduced the progression of cognitive deficits by activating central muscarinic and nicotinic receptors and anti-oxidant enzymes.

Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Radix Angelica sinensis

The roots of Angelica sinensis (RAS), are a Chinese herbal medicine traditionally used in prescriptions for replenishing blood, treating abnormal menstruation, and other women's diseases. It has also been widely marketed as health food for women's care in Asia, and as a dietary supplement in Europe and America. RAS is well-known for its hematopoietic, antioxidant, and immunoregulatory activities. RAS also possesses anti-cancer, memory, radioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Phytochemical investigations on this plant led to organic acids, phthalides, polysaccharides, and other metabolites. Based on recent animal studies and clinical trials, RAS has been used in the treatment of gynecologic diseases, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, nervous system diseases, and nephrotic syndrome. In this review, the recent phytochemical and pharmacological studies, drug-drug interactions, clinical applications, and toxicity of RAS are summarized.

Extraction optimization of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides and its antioxidant activity in vivo

Extraction of Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) was optimized by the utilization of response surface methodology, RSM. Through the analysis, extraction time and water/solid were found to be the most significant factors. Based on contour plots and variance analysis, optimum operational conditions for maximizing polysaccharides yield (5.6%) were found to be extraction time 130 min, water/solid 5, and extraction number 5. A. sinensis polysaccharides (150 and 300 mg/kg) were administered for 15 days. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransfere (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly restored toward normalization by the extracts (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight). ASP (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes. It can be concluded that ASP possesses significant protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). This protective effect appears due to ASP antioxidant properties.

Traditional chinese medicine for senile dementia

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a 3000 years' history of human use. A literature survey addressing traditional evidence from human studies was done, with key result that top 10 TCM herb ingredients including Poria cocos, Radix polygalae, Radix glycyrrhizae, Radix angelica sinensis, and Radix rehmanniae were prioritized for highest potential benefit to dementia intervention, related to the highest frequency of use in 236 formulae collected from 29 ancient Pharmacopoeias, ancient formula books, or historical archives on ancient renowned TCM doctors, over the past 10 centuries. Based on the history of use, there was strong clinical support that Radix polygalae is memory improving. Pharmacological investigation also indicated that all the five ingredients mentioned above can elicit memory-improving effects in vivo and in vitro via multiple mechanisms of action, covering estrogen-like, cholinergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, neurogenetic, and anti-Aβ activities. Furthermore, 11 active principles were identified, including sinapic acid, tenuifolin, isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, glabridin, ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, N-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxamide, coniferyl ferulate and 11-angeloylsenkyunolide F, and catalpol. It can be concluded that TCM has a potential for complementary and alternative role in treating senile dementia. The scientific evidence is being continuously mined to back up the traditional medical wisdom.

The multi-herbal medicine Gongjin-dan enhances memory and learning tasks via NGF regulation

Nerve growth factor (NGF) decreases degeneration of cholinergic neurons, improves memory loss, and increases long-term potentiation and learning tasks. Therefore, NGF mimetics or NGF inducers may be important targets for the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders. Traditionally, Gongjin-dan (GJD) has been used clinically for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. In this study, we examined the effects of GJD on NGF mimetic activity in PC12 cells and the induction of NGF secretion in primary astrocytes. Moreover, we also measured neuron survival by MAP-2 staining in an immobilization stress rat model and induction of long-term potentiation by the MEA system in rat hippocampus slices treated with dexamethasone. The behavioral syndrome by novel object test was also performed in mice. GJD increased neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and NGF secretion in primary astrocytes. Also, it reduced neuronal cell death and increased long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, the number of entries, the time spent and the distance moved in the center area of the test region by the mice was increased by oral administration of GJD in comparison with the distance moved over the total area. These data suggest that administration of GJD may improve memory and learning tasks via NGF regulation, and that it may have a potential for multiple function neuroprotection via NGF regulation.

A new potyvirus first isolated and identified from Angelica sinensis

A filamentous virus was isolated in Angelica sinensis (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels) which shows mosaic symptoms on leaves in Minxian, Gansu province, China. According to morphology and molecular biology properties, this virus, which has a flexuous rod-shaped particle about 750 nm in length and 12 nm in width, was assigned to the genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae. Its coat protein (CP) shows high similarity with six other potyviruses by analysis of peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF). The 919 bp nucleotides of 3' terminal covering partial CP gene and 3'-untranslated region was amplified by RT-PCR using degenerate primers which were designed according to the result of PMF. In sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis, the new isolate was found to be closely related to Japanese hornwort mosaic virus (JHMV), Konjak mosaic virus (KoMV), and Zantedeschia mosaic virus (ZaMV). The most closely related virus is JHMV03 (AB251346), with 96.59% aa and 87.60% nt identity to the isolate. All results suggest the presence of a new member of potyvirus, tentatively named Dang Gui strain of Japanese hornwort mosaic virus (JHMV-DG*). In our research the antiserum against the CP of JHMV-DG had also been prepared. To our knowledge, it is the first time that a potyvirus has been isolated and identified in Angelica sinensis.

Effects of luteolin on learning acquisition in rats: Involvement of the central cholinergic system

The study was conducted to investigate the ameliorating effects of luteolin on memory acquisition in rats. The effects of luteolin on scopolamine-induced impairment of passive avoidance response were evaluated primarily, as well as the role of the central nervous system through the use of central neurotoxins and central nervous antagonists. Luteolin was not reversed by scopolamine N-methylbromide (M-SCOP) but blocked the impairment of learning acquisition induced by cholinergic neurotoxin (ethylcholine aziridinium, AF64A) and muscarinic (scopolamine hydrobromide, SCOP) and nicotinic (mecamylamine, MECA) receptor antagonists. However, it did not block dopaminergic neurotoxin (6-hydroxydopamine, 6-OHDA)-induced and serotonergic neurotoxin (5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, 5,7-DHT)-induced impairments. From these results, we suggest that the attenuating effect of luteolin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) on the deficits of passive avoidance performance induced by SCOP may be related to the increases in the activities of central muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

Angelica sinensis Down-regulates Hydroxyproline and Tgfb1 and Provides Protection in Mice with Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a common delayed side effect of radiation therapy, and it has a poor prognosis. Tgfb1 is a potent chemoattractant for fibroblasts and stimulates the production of collagen, the protein that contains hydroxyproline. Since collagen is by far the most abundant protein in the lung, comprising 60-70% of the tissue mass, analysis of the hydroxyproline content in lung tissues provides a reliable quantitative index for pulmonary fibrosis. Thus hydroxyproline and Tgfb1 may be involved in the development of fibrosis. In this study, we investigated radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were assigned into four groups: no treatment, treated with Angelica sinensis treated only, X-irradiated only (a single fraction of 12 Gy to the thorax), and Angelica sinensis treatment plus radiation. We assayed expression of hydroxyproline and the mRNA and protein of Tgfb1 in the four groups. We found that Angelica sinensis down-regulated the production of Tgfb1 and hydroxyproline in mice with radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. This study has demonstrated for the first time that Angelica sinensis inhibits the progress of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, possibly by down-regulating the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine Tgfb1. These data suggest that Angelica sinensis may be useful in preventing and/or treating radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis in the clinic.

Neuroprotective herbs for stroke therapy in traditional eastern medicine

Traditional Eastern Medicine (TEM) has a long history in stroke therapy and its therapeutic efficacy has been confirmed by clinical studies. Extensive experience and abundant clinical data on TEM in stroke treatment have been accumulated over the past thousand years. Basic and clinical research in TEM constitutes a potentially rich source for new drug discovery and development with the integration of TEM and Western pharmacology. In recent years, many attempts have been made to document research data from extracts of composite formulas, single herbs, or single compounds from TEM herbs, according to orthodox pharmacological actions. This article reviews herbs and prescriptions that have been documented to have a neuroprotective effect in in vitro and in vivo ischemic model systems, and the neuroprotective compounds isolated from them. I also discuss the neuroprotective mechanisms of prescriptions, herbs, and single compounds relevant to the treatment of brain ischemia, including anti-oxidant, anti-excitotoxic, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Therapeutic effects of herbal extracts and constituents in animal models of psychiatric disorders

A search for novel pharmacotherapy from medicinal plants for psychiatric illnesses has progressed significantly in the past decade. This is reflected in the large number of herbal preparations for which psychotherapeutic potential has been evaluated in a variety of animal models. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of herbal extracts and constituents that have significant therapeutic effects in animal models of psychiatric illnesses. Eighty five individual herbs reviewed were classified as anxiolytic, antidepressant, neuroleptic, antidementia, or anti-substance abuse herbs. The full scientific name of each herb, herbal part used, active constituent, extract, dose range and route, animal model, possible mechanisms of action, and pertinent references are presented via synoptic tables. The herbal mixtures were also mentioned. A considerable number of herbal constituents whose behavioral effects and pharmacological actions have been well characterized may be good candidates for further investigations that may ultimately result in clinical use. The investigation of a large portion of the herbal extracts and herbal mixtures is in its infancy. Herbal remedies that have demonstrable psychotherapeutic activities have provided a potential to psychiatric pharmaceuticals and deserve increased attention in future studies.

Effect of Angelica sinensis on the proliferation of human bone cells

BACKGROUND

Angelica sinensis, an herbal medicine known for its effect to purify blood quality and improve circulation, frequently appears as the main ingredient in prescriptions for bone injuries. Currently, how pharmacologically it contributes to the reformation of bone is unclear.

METHODS

The effect of the aqueous extract of Angelica sinensis on bone cells was investigated in vitro for the first time. The human osteoprecursor cells (OPC-1) were incubated in the medium with different concentrations of the aqueous extract of Angelica sinensis and the cell proliferation was studied.

RESULTS

When the concentration of Angelica sinensis aqueous extract was <125 microg/ml, the proliferation of OPC-1 was enhanced. However, the proliferation of OPC-1 was inhibited by Angelica sinensis extract with the concentrations >250 microg/ml. Under most treatments, the cells presented very pale expression for cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox 2) protein; slightly intensified band showed at the highest Angelica sinensis concentration, 1.0 mg/ml during the course of culture.

CONCLUSION

The aqueous extract of Angelica sinensis was found to directly stimulate the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, protein secretion and particularly type I collagen synthesis of OPC-1 at dose-dependent manner.