Myelophil ameliorates brain oxidative stress in mice subjected to restraint stress.
We evaluated the pharmacological effects of Myelophil, a 30% ethanol extract of a mix of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, on oxidative stress-induced brain damage in mice caused by restraint stress. C57BL/6 male mice (eight weeks old) underwent daily oral administration of distilled water, Myelophil (25, 50, or 100mg/kg), or ascorbic acid (100mg/kg) 1h before induction of restraint stress, which involved 3h of immobilization per day for 21days. Nitric oxide levels, lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione redox system enzymes), and concentrations of adrenaline, corticosterone, and interferon-γ, were measured in brain tissues and/or sera. Restraint stress-induced increases in nitric oxide levels (serum and brain tissues) and lipid peroxidation (brain tissues) were significantly attenuated by Myelophil treatment. Restraint stress moderately lowered total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, glutathione content, and the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase; all these responses were reversed by Myelophil. Myelophil significantly attenuated the elevated serum concentrations of adrenaline and corticosterone and restored serum and brain interferon-γ levels. Moreover, Myelophil normalized expression of the genes encoding monoamine oxidase A, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, which was up-regulated by restraint stress in brain tissues. These results suggest that Myelophil has pharmacological properties protects brain tissues against stress-associated oxidative stress damage, perhaps in part through regulation of stress hormones.
Liver and Immunology Research Center, Oriental Medical Collage of Daejeon University, 22-5 Daehung-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 301-724, Republic of Korea.
Jin-Seok
JS
Lee
Hyung-Geug
HG
Kim
Jong-Min
JM
Han
Jong-Suk
JS
Lee
Seung-Wan
SW
Son
Yo-Chan
YC
Ahn
Chang-Gue
CG
Son
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C530779:Myelophil; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D003345:Corticosterone; D004837:Epinephrine