The butanol fraction of Eclipta prostrata (Linn) increases the formation of brain acetylcholine and decreases oxidative stress in the brain and serum of cesarean-derived rats.
Eclipta prostrata has been used as a traditional medicinal plant to prevent dementia and to enhance memory in Asia. Its potential as a nootropic and as an antioxidant have been reported in mice. We hypothesized that Eclipta may affect the formation of neurotransmitters and the inhibition of oxidative stress. Charles River cesarean-derived rats (male, 180 ± 10 g) were fed experimental diets supplemented with 0 mg (control), 25 mg (E25), 50 mg (E50), or 100 mg (E100) of a freeze-dried butanol fraction of E prostrata per kilogram of diet for 6 weeks. The acetylcholine level was significantly increased by 9.6% and 12.1% in the brains of E50 and E100 groups, respectively, as compared with the control group that was fed standard diet alone. The acetylcholine esterase activity was significantly increased by 13.1% and 19.7% in the brains of E50 and E100 groups, respectively, compared with the control group. Monoamine oxidase-B activity was significantly decreased by 10.5% in the brains of the E100 group, and the superoxide radical level was significantly reduced by 9.4% in the serum of the E100 group compared with the control group. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased by 9.6% and 11.6% in the serum of E50 and E100 groups, respectively, compared with the control group. These results clearly demonstrate the effects of E prostrata on the formation of acetylcholine in the brain and the inhibition of oxidative stress in the brain and serum of rats. These findings may have implications for preventing dementia and enhancing memory function in humans.
Kim
Dae-Ik
DI
Daegu Technopark Bio Industry Center, Daegu 704-801, South Korea.
Lee
Sung-Hyen
SH
Hong
Joo-Heon
JH
Lillehoj
Hyun Soon
HS
Park
Hong-Ju
HJ
Rhie
Seung-Gyo
SG
Lee
Gun-Soon
GS
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D036601:Eclipta / Q000737:chemistry; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013481:Superoxides; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D004950:Esterases; D000109:Acetylcholine