title: Natural extracts as possible protective agents of brain aging.
abstract: A growing number of studies suggest that natural extracts and phytochemicals have a positive impact on brain aging. We examined the potential of the Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 and red wine-derived constituents on cell death produced by beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides and oxidative stress, with respect to their possible deleterious role in age-related neurological disorders. We found that EGb 761, possibly through the antioxidant properties of its flavonoids, was able to protect hippocampal cells against toxic effects induced by Abeta peptides. Moreover, we showed that an exposure of rat hippocampal cells to the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) resulted in a decrease in cell survival and increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. However, EGb 761 and red wine-derived polyphenols protected against these events, due to their antioxidant activities, and their ability to block SNP-stimulated activity of protein kinase C (PKC). Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that dietary intake of natural substances may be beneficial in normal aging of the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Que, Canada H4H 1R3.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bastianetto
authors.forename: Rémi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quirion
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids; D020441:Ginkgo biloba; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000633:toxicity; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D014920:Wine; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000975:Antioxidants; D002392:Catechin; D005419:Flavonoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011108:Polymers; D011794:Quercetin; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40); C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42); C074636:amyloid beta-protein (25-35); C063170:Ginkgo biloba extract; D000096983:Ginkgo Extract