title: Dioscorea Extract (DA-9801) Modulates Markers of Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of DA-9801, an optimized extract of Dioscorea species, on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in a type 2 diabetic animal model. In this study, db/db mice were treated with DA-9801 (30 and 100 mg/kg, daily, p.o.) for 12 weeks. DA-9801 reduced the blood glucose levels and increased the withdrawal latencies in hot plate tests. Moreover, it prevented nerve damage based on increased nerve conduction velocity and ultrastructural changes. Decrease of nerve growth factor (NGF) may have a detrimental effect on diabetic neuropathy. We previously reported NGF regulatory properties of the Dioscorea genus. In this study, DA-9801 induced NGF production in rat primary astrocytes. In addition, it increased NGF levels in the sciatic nerve and the plasma of type 2 diabetic animals. DA-9801 also increased neurite outgrowth and mRNA expression of Tieg1/Klf10, an NGF target gene, in PC12 cells. These results demonstrated the attenuation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy by oral treatment with DA-9801 via NGF regulation. DA-9801 is currently being evaluated in a phase II clinical study.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon 406-799.
authors.forename: Eunjung
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University Global Campus, Yongin 446-701.
authors.forename: Sung Ok
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University Global Campus, Yongin 446-701.
authors.forename: Tong Ho
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Dong-A Pharm Institute, Yongin 446-905.
authors.forename: Hye Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Dong-A Pharm Institute, Yongin 446-905.
authors.forename: Sang Zin
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Dong-A Pharm Institute, Yongin 446-905.
authors.forename: Mi-Won
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon 406-799 ; Gachon Medical Research Institute, Gil Medical Center, Incheon 406-799, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Yeou
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: DA-9801; Diabetic peripheral neuropathy; Dioscorea japonica Thunb; Dioscorea nipponica Makino; Nerve growth factor; Type 2 diabetes mellitus