title: The neuroprotective and lifespan-extension activities of Damnacanthus officinarum extracts in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective and anti-aging activity of extracts in Caenorhabditis elegans from the roots and leaves of Damnacanthus officinarum Huang to provide the pharmacological basis in traditional medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Investigations on the neuroprotective and lifespan activity were carried out, which were observed by utilizing the following models: observing the worms' chemosensory behavior test based on the aversion index in the assay plate, neuroprotective activity of nematode by evaluating the ASH neuron survival and lifespan test in C. elegans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It has been shown that the ethanol, n-butanol and aqueous extracts in the roots possessed significantly neuroprotective effect both in chemosensory behavior test and ASH neuron survival model. The same extracts in the leaves showed similar activities in two models, but have less potency revealing by the data. Four candidate extracts, possessing excellent neuroprotective activity, extend lifespan in C. elegans. The n-butanol extracts in the root part showed best efficacy among them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show the n-butanol and aqueous extracts are the major pharmacological plant extracts. Moreover, the neuroprotective and lifespan-extension activity effects of root extracts are superior to leave extracts, supporting the traditional application of above-ground parts of DOH in treating various diseases associated with brain disorders and anti-aging.
authors.affiliation: Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jizhou
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Siqin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Nanxiang
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Zebo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D020001:1-Butanol / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D019666:Rubiaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D000431:Ethanol; D020001:1-Butanol