title: Sorbus alnifolia protects dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The twigs of Sorbus alnifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) K. Koch (Rosaceae) have been used to treat neurological disorders as a traditional medicine in Korea. However, there are limited data describing the efficacy of S. alnifolia in Parkinson's disease (PD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to identify the protective effects of the methanol extracts of S. alnifolia (MESA) on the dopaminergic (DA) neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans.
  
  
  METHODS
  To test the neuroprotective action of MESA, viability assay was performed after 48 h exposure to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MMP+) in PC12 cells and C. elegans (400 μM and 2 mM of MMP+, respectively). Fluorescence intensity was quantified using transgenic mutants such as BZ555 (Pdat-1::GFP) and and UA57 (Pdat-1::GFP and Pdat-1::CAT-2) to determine MESA's effects on DA neurodegeneration in C. elegans. Aggregation of α-synuclein was observed using NL5901 strain (unc-54p::α-synuclein::YFP). MESA's protective effects on the DA neuronal functions were examined by food-sensing assay. Lifespan assay was conducted to test the effects of MESA on the longevity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MESA restored MPP+-induced loss of viability in both PC12 cells and C. elegans (85.8% and 54.9%, respectively). In C. elegans, MESA provided protection against chemically and genetically-induced DA neurodegeneration, respectively. Moreover, food-sensing functions were increased 58.4% by MESA in the DA neuron degraded worms. MESA also prolonged the average lifespan by 25.6%. However, MESA failed to alter α-synuclein aggregation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results revealed that MESA protects DA neurodegeneration and recovers diminished DA neuronal functions, thereby can be a valuable candidate for the treatment of PD.
authors.affiliation: a College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University , Jeonbuk , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Myeong
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.affiliation: b Department of Korean Internal Medicine , Woosuk University , Jeonbuk , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Insoo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: c Department of Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East , Carolina University , Greenville , NC , USA.
authors.forename: Myon-Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: a College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University , Jeonbuk , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dae Keun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: a College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University , Jeonbuk , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: a College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University , Jeonbuk , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Cha
mesh_terms: D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D019610:Cytoprotection; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D066329:Protein Aggregates; D051381:Rats; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D031994:Sorbus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D066329:Protein Aggregates; D012997:Solvents; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Parkinson’s disease; food sensing; lifespan-extension; neurotoxicity; tyrosine hydroxylase