Berberry extract reduces neuronal damage and N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 immunoreactivity in the gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia.
In the present study, we studied the neuroprotective effects of berberry extract (BE) against ischemic damage and the temporal and spatial alterations of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor type 1 (NR1) and NR2A/2B immunoreactivities in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after transient ischemia to examine anti-ischemic effects and its role in transient forebrain ischemia. In the vehicle-treated group, the percentage of cresyl violet positive pyramidal cells in the CA1 region was about 11.4% compared to the sham-operated group 4 d after ischemic insult. BE showed neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage after ischemia-reperfusion. In the BE-treated groups, about 60-75% of CA1 pyramidal cells were stained with cresyl violet 4 d after ischemic insult. We observed the percentage of berberine (7.45+0.85 mg/g in BE) by HPLC, which is active ingredient of BE. NR1 immunoreactivity in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1 region in the vehicle-treated group was significantly increased at 30 min after transient forebrain ischemia, while at this time the NR1 immunoreactivity in the BE-treated groups was significantly low compared to the vehicle-treated group. The pattern of NR2A/B immunoreactivity in the stratum pyramidale of the BE-treated group and its protein levels were similar to that in the vehicle-treated group after ischemic insult. These results suggest that BE has potent neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage via the reduction of NR1 activity.
Yoo
Ki-Yeon
KY
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chunchon, South Korea.
Hwang
In Koo
IK
Lim
Beong Ou
BO
Kang
Tae-Cheon
TC
Kim
Dong-Woo
DW
Kim
Sang Moo
SM
Lee
Hyeon Yong
HY
Kim
Jong Dai
JD
Won
Moo Ho
MH
D000818:Animals; D048588:Benzoxazines; D001599:Berberine / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D028142:Berberis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010078:Oxazines; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012015:Reference Standards
D048588:Benzoxazines; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; C409466:NR1 NMDA receptor; C120997:NR2A NMDA receptor; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010078:Oxazines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D001599:Berberine; C028911:cresyl violet