Effects of the hook of Uncaria rhynchophylla on neurotoxicity in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease.
BACKGROUND
While the hook of Uncaria rhynchophylla (URH) is a traditional herb used in northeast Asia for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD)-like symptoms such as tremor, it has not been experimentally evaluated in a PD model.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the effects of URH on 6-hydroxydapamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity in in vitro and in vivo models of PD.


METHODS
The cell viability, anti-oxidative activity, and anti-apoptotic activity of a water extract of URH (URE) were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (GSH), and caspase-3 assays in PC12 cells stressed by 6-OHDA. We also investigated the behavioral recovery and dopaminergic neuron protection of URE using an apomorphine-induced rotation test and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry in the hemi-parkinsonian rat model of the unilateral 6-OHDA lesion of the medial forebrain bundle.


RESULTS
In PC12 cells, URE significantly reduced cell death and the generation of ROS, increased GSH levels, and inhibited caspase-3 activity induced by 6-OHDA. In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, posttreatment with URE (5 mg/kg/day for 14 days) significantly reduced apomorphine-induced rotation, and it lowered dopaminergic neuronal loss in substantia nigra pars compacta.


CONCLUSIONS
URE possesses neuroprotective activity against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic activities in PD models.
Shim
Jin Sup
JS
Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science and Kyung Hee East-West Pharmarceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Hyo Geun
HG
Ju
Mi Sun
MS
Choi
Jin Gyu
JG
Jeong
Seo Young
SY
Oh
Myung Sook
MS
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016627:Oxidopamine; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018514:Plant Structures; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects; D032070:Uncaria
D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D016627:Oxidopamine; D053148:Caspase 3; D005978:Glutathione