Codonopsis pilosula (Franch) Nannf total alkaloids potentiate neurite outgrowth induced by nerve growth factor in PC12 cells.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch) Nannf total alkaloids (DSA) on differentiation induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12 cells.


METHODS
After culturing PC12 cells with DSA in the presence or absence of NGF, neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and correlated protein kinases were assayed.


RESULTS
DSA alone did not exhibit neuritogenic activity, but caused a significant enhancement of NGF (2 microg/L)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, and increased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Furthermore, this enhancing effect was completely blocked by a specific MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD98059.


CONCLUSIONS
DSA enhanced the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by amplifying an up-stream step of the MAPK-dependent signaling pathway.
Liu
Jian-Hui
JH
Department of Biochemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
Bao
Yong-Ming
YM
Song
Ji-Jun
JJ
An
Li-Jia
LJ
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D029745:Codonopsis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats
D000470:Alkaloids; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases