title: Neuroprotective activity of the methanolic extract of Lonicera japonica in glutamate-injured primary rat cortical cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously reported that the extracts of several Korean medicinal plants showed neuroprotective activity in glutamate-injured primary culutres of rat cortical cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Among them, the effect of the methanolic extract of Lonicera japonica flower on the glutamate-induced neuronal cell death and its potential mechanism of action was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment by the methanolic extract of L. japonica flower significantly protected neuronal cells against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. It decreased the calcium influx that accompanies the glutamate induced excitotoxicity of neuronal cells, and inhibited the subsequent overproduction of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species and peroxide to the level of control cells. In addition, it preserved cellular activity of superoxide dismutase, an antioxidative enzyme reduced by glutamate insult.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to this data, the methanolic extract of L. japonica flower significantly protected neuronal cells against glutamate excitotoxicity via antioxidative activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials Engineering, School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Bae
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Weon
authors.forename: Hye Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Bohyoung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bo-Ra
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Ju Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Hyeon Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Choong Je
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ma