Essential Role of Ascorbic Acid in Neural Differentiation and Development: High Levels of Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside Effectively Enhance Nerve Growth Factor-Induced Neurite Formation and Elongation in PC12 Cells

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ascorbic acid (AsA) in neural differentiation induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12 cells, a neural precursor cell line. Cells were cultivated in the presence of L-ascorbic acid-2-O-α-D-glucopyranoside (AA-2G) and evaluated for potentiation of neural differentiation induced by a small amount of NGF. AA-2G enhanced the proportion of neurite-bearing cells in a concentration-dependent manner (<1 mM). When cultivated with relatively high concentrations of AA-2G (1-5 mM), the cells tended to extend neurites further and to form a neuron-like network. The resultant number of neurite-bearing cells was apparently increased by the addition of AA-2G, with a concurrent decrease in the number of total cells in the same culture dish. These results suggest that AsA in the brain not only promotes NGF-induced differentiation of neural precursor cells but also participates in the development of neural network-forming cells.

Ascorbic Acid Ameliorates Nicotine Exposure Induced Impaired Spatial Memory Performances in Rats

“…The authors found that relatively high concentrations of ascorbic acid in the brain not only promote NGF-induced differentiation of neural precursor cells but also participate in the development of neural network-forming cells (38). Further studies will explain the key mechanism for the improved behavioural effects seen in rats after the administration of ascorbic acid.…”

Development of the central nervous system in guinea pig (Cavia porcellus, Rodentia, Caviidae)

“…Accordingly, mouse models have played an important role in the mechanisms involving neurological diseases, especially in clinical studies related to development (Haramoto et al 2008). However, for diseases such as Alzheimer's, these same rodent models have been discarded, especially in some studies on the role of cholesterol in this disease (Ledesma & Dotti 2005).…”

Estimation of Total Phenols and Flavonoids in Selected Indian Traditional Plants

“…Naturally occurring plant phenols and flavonoids possess a broad range of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiulcer, antiarthritic, anti cancer and protein kinase inhibition (Marinova et al, 2005;Sulaiman and Balachandran, 2012). Free radicals have been found to play a major role in several human diseases, including, brain disorders (Haramoto et al, 2008), as brain is more vulnerable to oxidative stress due to imbalance between reactive oxygen radicals and antioxidant defence system of our body (Hotta et al, 2002). Exhaustive pharmacological work has been conducted where polyphenols have been reported to possess (Fernandez et al, 2006;Viola et al, 1995;Saaby et al, 2009).…”