Protective effects of Choto-san and hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis against delayed neuronal death after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbil.
Previously, we revealed that Choto-san (Diao-teng-san in Chinese), a Kampo formula, is effective on vascular dementia clinically, and the hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis (Oliv.) Havil., a medicinal plant comprising Chotosan, has a neuroprotective effect in vitro. In the present study, for the purpose of clarifying their effects in vivo, we investigated whether the oral administration of Choto-san extract (CSE) or U. sinensis extract (USE) reduces delayed neuronal death following ischemia/reperfusion (i/rp) in gerbils. Transient forebrain ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 4 min, and two doses (1.0% and 3.0%) of CSE or USE were dissolved in drinking water and provided to the gerbils ad libitum from 7 days prior to i/rp until 7 days after i/rp. It was found that 1.0% and 3.0% CSE treatments significantly reduced pyramidal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region at 7 days post i/rp. Three percent USE treatment also inhibited pyramidal cell death significantly at 7 days after i/rp. Superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of the homogenized hippocampus at 7 days after i/rp in the 1.0% CSE- and 3.0% USE-treated groups were significantly enhanced compared to those of control. Further, lipid peroxide and NO2-/NO3- levels of the homogenized hippocampus at 48h after i/rp in the 1.0% CSE- and 3.0% USE-treated groups were significantly lower than those of control. These results suggest that the oral administration of CSE or USE provides a protective effect against transient ischemia-induced delayed neuronal death by reducing oxidative damage to neurons.
Yokoyama
Koichi
K
Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. yokomac@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp
Shimada
Yutaka
Y
Hori
Etsuro
E
Sekiya
Nobuyasu
N
Goto
Hirozo
H
Sakakibara
Iwao
I
Nishijo
Hisao
H
Terasawa
Katsutoshi
K
D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018547:Plant Stems; D032070:Uncaria
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C120250:choto-san