Neuroprotective Effects of Active Ingredients Isolated from Pegasus laternarius on Cultured Cerebral Neurons

Abstract

Seamoth (Pegasus laternarius Cuvier) is extensively used to treat various diseases on the coastland of Guangdong Province in China, such as scrofula, cough, and diarrhea. The total extract of Pegasus laternarius (EP) was subjected to column chromatography to acquire three different constituents (EPC1, EPC2, and EPC3). Cerebral neuron injury was induced by glutamate, H₂O₂, and serum deprivation. After treating with or without different extracts, cell viability was assessed with the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, and cell apoptosis was analyzed with Hoechst 33258 staining and agarose gel electrophoresis. We also determined the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), maleic dialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The results showed that both EP and EPC2 promoted the outgrowth of cultural neurons, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and protected neurons from neuronal injury or apoptosis induced by glutamate, H₂O₂, and serum deprivation. EPC1 and EPC3 had little or no effect on neurons. These results suggest that the active ingredients obtained from Pegasus laternarius have potential neuroprotective effects on injured neurons by promoting the outgrowth of cultured neurons, increasing the activity of intracellular antioxidants, and exerting antiapoptotic effects. This neuroprotection may be attributable to specific active ingredients, such as taurine, novel ceramide, and cholesterol.

Neuroprotective effects ofAlpinia katsumadaiagainst experimental ischemic damage via control of oxidative stress

“…On the other hand, in vitro and in vivo therapies for brain disorders, including ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, are still under investigation using various extracts from plants (Saberi et al, 2008;Dhanasekaran et al, 2009;Rajasankar et al, 2009;Nade et al, 2010;Bora et al, 2011;Li et al, 2011;Zheng et al, 2011). Alpinia katsumadai (Zingiberaceae), which was identified by the National Plant Quarantine Service in Korea, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine.…”