title: The neuroprotective effects of an extract of Gastrodia elata.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrodia elata (GE) Blume (family Orchidaceae) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treating headaches, dizziness, tetanus, and epilepsy, indicating neuronal protective functions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the neuroprotection of GE and its molecular mechanism in preventing serum deprivation-induced PC12 cell apoptosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  An MTT assay and Hoechst staining were used to respectively validate serum deprivation-induced cell death and apoptosis. Cyclic (c)AMP formation and protein kinase (PK)A activity were also measured after GE treatment. Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of the cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein. Transient transfection of a dominant negative CREB was used to validate the importance of CREB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GE targeted the adenosine A(2A) receptor (A(2A)-R). GE increased cAMP formation, PKA activity, and phosphorylation of the CREB protein. GE-induced CREB protein phosphorylation and protection was blocked by a PKA inhibitor and overexpression of the dominant negative CREB, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support the neuroprotective effects of GE. The protective mechanism might be mediated through an A(2A)-R/cAMP/PKA/CREB-dependent pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Fen
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chuen-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yun-Lian
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yi-Chao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ying-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Nai-Kuei
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D058908:Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D031668:Gastrodia / Q000737:chemistry; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D043683:Receptors, Adenosine A2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D058908:Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D043683:Receptors, Adenosine A2; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases