Cynomorium songaricum Extracts Functionally Modulate Transporters of γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Monoamine

Abstract

Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. (SY) is a central nervous system-oriented herb material that has actions of anti-dementia, anti-epilepsy, and anti-stress. It is unclear whether SY would be biologically active in functionally regulating neurotransmitter transporters. Here, we assessed these potential actions using Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter (GAT-1), dopamine transporter (DAT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), or serotonin transporter (SERT) (i.e. G1, D8, N1, or S6 cells, respectively). It was shown that SY extracts, such as SYw, SYa, SYp, SYc, SYe, and SYb (SY water, ethanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butyl alcohol extract, respectively) increased dopamine/norepinephrine (DA/NE) uptake by corresponding D8/N1 cells and decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid/serotoin (GABA/5HT) uptake by corresponding G1/S6 cells; wherein, the potency or efficacy of SYc for up-regulating DA/NE uptake and that of SYb for inhibiting GABA/5HT uptake were relatively stronger. Additionally, GABA/5H-uptake inhibition by SY extracts were also seen in cortical synaptosomes, and DA/NE-uptake enhancement by SYc was dependent on the activity of DAT and NET. Thus, SY extracts especially SYc and SYb are novel neurotransmitter-transporter modulators functioning as DAT/NET activators and/or GAT-1/SERT inhibitors.

The Yang-Tonifying Herbal MedicineCynomorium songaricumExtends Lifespan and Delays Aging inDrosophila

“…CS might play a role in regulation of neurotransmitter transport. Based on screening of cells expressing various neurotransmitter transporters, CS extracts raised dopamine and norepinephrine uptakes but showed decreases in GABA and serotonin [43]. The regulation of synaptic transmission activity by transmitter systems is frequently correlated with cognitive performance.…”

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures of root-holoparasiticCynomorium songaricumand its hosts at the Tibetan plateau and the surrounding Gobi desert in China

“…Interest in these plants has increased in recent years, and they are being extensively collected from wild populations for use in herbal medicines, causing a dramatic decline of this herbal resource. The chemical components and therapy functions of C. songaricum have been studied in the past three decades [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. However, the nutritional relationship of C. songaricum with its hosts has been little studied.…”

Cynomorium songaricum extract enhances novel object recognition, cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the mice via improving hippocampal environment

“…(CS) is a well-known root-parasitic plant and is distributed throughout northwest China [13]. Cynomorium songaricum extract (CSE) has been widely used as Chinese herbal remedy for problems such as sexual dysfunction, renal disease, and lumbar weakness [14].…”

“…Among the chemical compounds in CS, flavonoids have antioxidant effects, and certain types of flavonoids are involved in neuroprotection and hippocampal neurogenesis [17-19]. It has also been reported that CSE modulates γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and monoamine transporters, both of which are involved in hippocampal neurogenesis [13]. …”