Ojayeonjonghwan, an oriental medicine composed of five seeds, protects against vasomotor and neurological disorders in estrogen-deficient rats

Abstract

The different ojayeonjonghwan remedies all contain five fruit and seed water extracts, and they have been used for reproductive health in men and women. We hypothesized that the two OJa remedies would differently improve the early menopause-related vasomotor and neurological symptoms in estrogen-deficient animals. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats had either 0.5% dextrin (OVX-control), conjugated equine estrogen (150 μg/kg body weight; positive-control), 0.5% ojayeonjonghwan remedy-1 (OJa1), or 0.5% ojayeonjonghwan remedy-2(OJa2) in high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Normal-control rats (sham operation) were fed the same high-fat diet as OVX-control rats. Tail skin temperature, depressiveness, memory function, and body composition were determined. The mRNA expressions of hippocampal serotonin receptor (5HT)1A and 5HT2A and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) were measured. OJa1 and OJa2 groups had lower tail skin temperatures than OVX-control. Bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass (LBM) measured by DEXA increased only in OJa2, and were similar to the positive- and normal-controls ( P < 0.05). In the forced swim test immobile time, an index of depressiveness was much lower in OJa1 and OJa2 than the control group. Memory as measured by passive avoidance, water maze, and Y maze tests was impaired in the OVX-control group, compared to the normal-control ( P < 0.05), but normalized in OJa1 comparable to the positive- and normal-control groups. The neurological impairments were associated with serum serotonin levels and 5HT2A mRNA expression in the midbrain, and decreased hippocampal BDNF mRNA and protein expressions in the OVX-control group compared to normal-controls ( P < 0.05). OJa1 increased serum serotonin levels and 5HT2A expression in the midbrain, and hippocampal BDNF expression to similar levels as normal-controls ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, OJa1 and OJa2 improved hot flashes and depression and maintained BMD and LBM. OJa2 prevented the impairment of memory function in OVX rats. OJa1 and OJa2 have the potential to be effective therapies for postmenopausal vasomotor and neurological symptoms. Impact statement Menopausal symptoms impair the quality of life of many women, and although conventional treatments are often effective, their use is limited by adverse effects. Ojayeonjonghwan, OJa, is a traditional Oriental medicine that is used for both male and female reproductive health and has a long history of safe use. We evaluated the effectiveness of two variations of OJa (OJa1 and OJa2) for treating menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Both OJa preparations were effective for relieving indicators of hot flashes and depression, and for preventing loss of bone mineral density and lean body mass. Only OJa 2 prevented memory dysfunction. These results show that the traditional Oriental medicine, Ojayeonjonghwan, has the potential to relieve menopausal symptoms in women and should be further evaluated in human clinical trials as an alternative to convention therapies in women for whom conventional therapies are not indicated or found to be ineffective.

Tetragonia tetragonioides Protected against Memory Dysfunction by Elevating Hippocampal Amyloid-β Deposition through Potentiating Insulin Signaling and Altering Gut Microbiome Composition

“…The mRNA expression of BDNF and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in PC12 cells was lower in the AD-Con group than the Normal-Con group, and the high dosage of TTK-E and TTK-W prevented the decrease in BDNF and CNTF by amyloid-β (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35) (Figure 1B,C). TTK-E produced higher mRNA expression of BDNF and CNTF than TTK-W. A high dosage of TTK-E exhibited a similar mRNA expression of CNTF as the Normal-Con group (Figure 1B,C).…”

“…Cell survival and expression of brain growth factors in the nerve growth factor-administered PC12 cells. The cells had treatments with 70% ethanol Tetragonia tetragonioides or its water extract with 10 and 50 µg/mL dosages, and after 1 h, cell death was induced by 10 µM amyloid-β (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35). After 24 h treatment, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and mRNA expression were measured.…”

“…After 24 h treatment, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and mRNA expression were measured. Amyloid-β (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35) was administered without Tetragonia tetragonioides Kuntze (TTK) extract (AD-Con), ethanol extract (TTK-E), or water extract (TTK-W), and 10 µM amyloid-β was administered without TTK extract (Normal-Con). (A) Cell survival determined by MTT assay.…”

“…(C) Frequencies to visit the zone where the platform was located, duration to stay in the zone, and the latency to visit the zone at first. AD and Non-AD rats infused amyloid-β (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35) into the CA1 regions and amyloid-β into the CA1 regions, respectively. AD-Con fed 45% fat diet with 0.5% dextrin in AD rats infused intra-CA1 infusion of amyloid-β (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35), AD-TTK fed 45% fat diet with 0.5% water extract of Tetragonia tetragonioides (TTK) in AD rats, and Normal-Con fed 45% fat diet with 0.5% dextrin in non-AD rats infused intra-CA1 infusion of amyloid-β .…”

“…The percentage of Bacteroidales and Lactobacillales decreased in the AD-Con compare to the Normal-Con, and the decrease was prevented by AD-TKK ( Figure 6D). fat diet with 0.5% dextrin in AD rats infused intra-CA1 infusion of amyloid-β (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35), AD-TTK fed 45% fat diet with 0.5% water extract of Tetragonia tetragonioides (TTK) in AD rats, and Normal-Con fed 45% fat diet with 0.5% dextrin in non-AD rats infused intra-CA1 infusion of amyloid-β . Each value represents the mean ± SD of five mice in each group.…”