Gastrodia elata modulated activator protein 1 via c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway in kainic acid-induced epilepsy in rats.
Gastrodia elata (Orchidaceae) is a Chinese herb. Our previous study showed that Gastrodia elata is able to reduce epileptic seizures, oxygen free radicals, microglia activation, and apoptosis in kainic acid (KA)-treated rats. Activator protein 1 (AP-1) is involved in modulating the neuronal plasticity and apoptosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of AP-1 in antiepileptic effect of Gastrodia elata. Gastrodia elata (0.5, 1.0g/kg) or valproic acid (VA, 250mg/kg) was administered orally in Sprague-Dawley rats for 1 week before and 2 weeks after intraperitoneal injection of KA. Protein levels of AP-1 were determined by measuring c-Jun and c-Fos proteins, and the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases activations were determined by measuring the phosphorylations of extracellular signal-regulated kinases, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus of rat brain using Western blotting. These results indicated that pre-treatment with Gastrodia elata or VA activated JNK signal pathway and c-Jun expression, while post-treatment with Gastrodia elata or VA suppressed both the JNK signaling pathway and the c-Jun expression induced by KA. These findings suggested that Gastrodia elata regulated the AP-1 expression via the JNK signaling pathway in KA-induced epilepsy.
Hsieh
Ching-Liang
CL
Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Lin
Jyh-Jian
JJ
Chiang
Su-Yin
SY
Su
Shan-Yu
SY
Tang
Nou-Ying
NY
Lin
Gaung-Geng
GG
Lin
I-Hsin
IH
Liu
Chung-Hsiang
CH
Hsiang
Chien-Yun
CY
Chen
Jaw-Chyun
JC
Ho
Tin-Yun
TY
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D031668:Gastrodia; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010766:Phosphorylation; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D007608:Kainic Acid