title: Effects of Polygala tenuifolia root extract on proliferation of neural stem cells in the hippocampal CA1 region.
abstract: Neurogenesis persists in the adult mammalian brain and can be a target for modulation for therapeutic purposes. This study investigated the effect of a Polygala tenuifolia root extract on the proliferation of a stem cell population in the rat hippocampus. The root extract of P. tenuifolia (2 mg/kg/day, 14 times intraperitoneal injections) increased the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) into cells in the hippocampal CA1 region. This activity was enriched in the saponin-containing fraction. The majority of cells labelled with BrdU were immunoreactive to nestin or Tuj1 and the percentages of nestin/BrdU- and Tuj1/BrdU-double positive cells were increased by the P. tenuifolia root extract, suggesting that the P. tenuifolia root extract promotes the proliferation of neural stem cells. In addition, this extract promoted the neurite outgrowth of rat neuronal precursor cells, HiB5. These activities of P. tenuifolia root extract may contribute to the therapeutic benefits of herbal medicines containing P. tenuifolia root for the treatment of patients with insomnia, neurosis and dementia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology and Protein Research Center for Bio-Industry, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 449-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kiwon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hwon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Myoungsun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Wei Wan
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Whang
authors.forename: Yunhee Kim
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Hyockman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D031801:Polygala / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts