[Study of catalpol promoting axonal growth for cultured cortical neurons from rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of different concentration of catalpol on the cell survival and axonal growth of cortical neurons cultured in vitro from 24 h newly born rat.


METHODS
Primary cultured cortical neurons from 24 h newly born rat were dissociated and cultured. The different concentration of catalpol and 1 mg mL(-1) citicoline were added to the culture plates for 48 h, and the final of catalpol concentration were 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 mg mL(-1), respectively. The cortical neuron was identified by NF-200 antigen and its survival activity detected by MTT assay. The axonal growth of cultured cortical neuron were observed by inverted microscopy with micrometer.


RESULTS
Immunocytochemistry demonstrated more than 95% of the primary cultured cortical neurons were positive for NF-200 antigen, which indicated the cultured cells were neurons. Neurons survived growing on the concentration of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 mg mL(-1). Compared with blank and 1 mg mL(-1) citicoline group,neurons survival rates were not statistical significant difference. However, it demonstrated that catalpol significantly promoted axonal growth from 1-5 mg mL(-1) (P <0.05). Interestedly, compared with the dose of 2.5 mg mL(-1), axonal growth was shorter at the dose of 5 mg mL(-1), and 2.5 mg mL(-1) catalpol showed the strongest promotion effect.


CONCLUSIONS
The catalpol can enhance cortical neuron axonal growth, but not promote cortical neuron survival.
Wan
Dong
D
Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
Zhu
Hui-feng
HF
Luo
Yong
Y
Xie
Peng
P
Xu
Xiao-yu
XY
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D005960:Glucosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; D039823:Iridoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D032267:Rehmannia / Q000737:chemistry
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005960:Glucosides; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; D039823:Iridoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C078040:catalpol