Protective effects of the pyrolyzates derived from bamboo against neuronal damage and hematoaggregation.
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.
Hong
Eui-Ju
EJ
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea.
Jung
Eui-Man
EM
Lee
Geun-Shik
GS
Kim
Joo Youn
JY
Na
Ki-Jeong
KJ
Park
Mi-Jin
MJ
Kang
Ha-Young
HY
Choi
Kyung-Chul
KC
Seong
Yeon Hee
YH
Choi
In-Gyu
IG
Jeung
Eui-Bae
EB
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
D026603:D-Aspartic Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate