Stimulation of central cholinergic neurons by (-)clausenamide in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To study the neurotrophic effects of (-) and (+)clausenamide on frontal cortex neurons in culture.


METHODS
The activity of the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was determined by spectrophotometric method; protein content was assayed by Folin phenol method.


RESULTS
(-)Clausenamide increased the activity of ChAT and protein content in cultured neurons, as well as stimulated proliferation of neuronal cells, support survival and neurite outgrowth of neurons. The neurotrophic action of (-)clausenamide (0.001-10 mumol.L-1) was similar to that of nerve growth factor. The (+)clausenamide had no neurotrophic action, even at high concentrations (0.1-10 mumol.L-1), but neurons were damaged.


CONCLUSIONS
(-)Clausenamide stimulated central cholinergic neuron development.
Duan
W Z
WZ
Department of Pharmacology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Chinese Union Medical University, Beijing, China.
Zhang
J T
JT
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry; D005333:Fetus; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007769:Lactams / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017705:Lignans; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007769:Lactams; D017705:Lignans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C053048:clausenamide; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase