Effects of Lignans from Schisandra chinensis Rattan Stems against Aβ1-42-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats and Neurotoxicity in Primary Neuronal Cells

Abstract

Oxidative stress, which is caused by Amyloid-β deposition in brain, plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we found that lignans from Schisandra chinensis rattan stems (rsSCH-L) could reduce the escape latency and the distance travelled by the Aβ1–42 injected rats while the crossing platform time was enhanced in the Morris water maze test. Further research demonstrated that lignans from rsSCH-L attenuated Aβ1-42-induced neuronal cell injury by increasing the content of SOD and GSH-Px and decreasing the levels of LDH, ROS, and MDA. Moreover, rsSCH-L also inhibited the apoptosis of primary neuronal cells. The mechanisms of the apoptosis were related with the downregulation of caspase-3, caspase-8, Bax, and upregulation of Bcl-2. Taken together, the results show that rsSCH-L can improve cognitive ability in vivo. Meanwhile rsSCH-L exhibit a neuroprotective environment against oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro. Therefore, rsSCH-L may be a potential therapeutic agent for this neurodegenerative disease.

Naturally Lignan-Rich Foods: A Dietary Tool for Health Promotion?

“…Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans isolated from S. chinensis exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as improving cognitive functions (e.g., memory) [ 77 ]. In addition, prior studies have reported that S. chinensis fruit extracts—in which the major bioactive constituents are lignans—exert a neuroprotective effect and possess bioactivity which may help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease [ 78 ]. Furthermore, S. chinensis fruit may have positive effects on the liver, as well as on the gastrointestinal, immune, sympathetic and central nervous systems [ 79 , 80 ].…”

Potential of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. in Human Health and Nutrition: A Review of Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Perspectives

“…They were also reported to reduce hunger, delay aging, increase vitality, and improve mental health [ 4 ]. They demonstrate neuro and hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, detoxification, immunostimulant, antiviral, and anti-cancer activities, as well as cardiovascular and skin-protective properties [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Inhibitory Effectiveness of Gomisin A, a Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignan Isolated from Schizandra chinensis, on the Amplitude and Gating of Voltage-Gated Na+ Current

“…Gomisin A (Gom A, wuweizichu B, wǔwèizi chún yĭ), a dietary dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan compound isolated from the hexane of Schisandra chinensis fruit extract [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ], has been increasingly demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, antihypertensive, neuroprotective, and anti-proliferative properties [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. For example, this compound was reported to induce protective effects either against hepatic and renal injury induced by CCl 4 exposure, or nitropropionic acid-induced striatal toxicity, through differential regulation of the MAPK signal transduction pathway [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Additionally, the ability of crude Schisandra chinensis extracts to perturb the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis in stressed rats has been previously reported [ 20 , 21 ]. The extracts of S. chinensis or arisanensis have been noticed to improve either amyloid-β- and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment or pancreatic β-cell function [ 9 , 10 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Of particular interest, an earlier study demonstrated the effectiveness of crude S. chinensis extract in decreasing prolactin production in pituitary GH 3 cells, suggesting that such an extract could be therapeutically beneficial for patients with hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma [ 26 ].…”