title: Protective effects of the pyrolyzates derived from bamboo against neuronal damage and hematoaggregation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bamboo species are thought to be originally from Central China, but are now found in many temperate and semi-tropical regions around the world. Although the extracts from bamboo may have antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects, their exact biological activities have not been elucidated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Two biological activities of bamboo-derived pyrolyzates were investigated; the protective effects against N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced cell death in primary cultured cortical neuron and the anti-plasmin effects determined by using fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of neuronal cells with pyrolyzates of Phyllostachys pubescens, Phyllostachys nigra and Phyllostachys bambusoides resulted in restored cell viability when compared to untreated cells in an NMDA-induced neuronal cell death assay. In addition, cortical neurons treated with Phyllostachys pubescens and Phyllostachys nigra showed a reduction of apoptosis following exposure to NMDA, as determined by Hoechst 33342 staining. In addition, Phyllostachys nigra pyrolyzates also exhibited anti-plasmin action in a FDP assay. It is of interest to note that pyrolyzates exhibited activities of NMDA-receptor antagonist and antifebrin (ogen), since a combination of NMDA receptor antagonists, glucocorticosteroids, GABAergic drugs and heparin are useful for treatment in delayed postischemic injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that the pyrolyzates derived from bamboo may have anti-apoptotic effects, and can be useful as a supplement for ischemic injury treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eui-Ju
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Eui-Man
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Geun-Shik
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joo Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki-Jeong
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Mi-Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ha-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Kyung-Chul
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yeon Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.forename: In-Gyu
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Eui-Bae
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Jeung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D031723:Bambusa / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002681:China; D026603:D-Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D026603:D-Aspartic Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate