Axon- or dendrite-predominant outgrowth induced by constituents from Ashwagandha.

Abstract

We previously reported that the methanol extract of Ashwagandha (roots of Dunal) induced dendrite extension in a human neuroblastoma cell line. In this study, we found that six of the 18 compounds isolated from the methanol extract enhanced neurite outgrowth in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Double immunostaining was performed in rat cortical neurons using antibodies to phosphorylated NF-H as an axonal marker, and to MAP2 as a dendritic marker. In withanolide A-treated cells, the length of NF-H-positive processes was significantly increased compared with vehicle-treated cells, whereas, the length of MAP2-positive processes was increased by withanosides IV and VI. These results suggest that axons are predominantly extended by withanolide A, and dendrites by withanosides IV and VI.

• Authors: Tomoharu Kuboyama, Chihiro Tohda, Jing Zhao, Norio Nakamura, Masao Hattori, Katsuko Komatsu
• Journal: Neuroreport (Neuroreport) Vol. 13 Issue 14 Pg. 1715-20 (Oct 07 2002) ISSN: 0959-4965 [Print] England
• PMID: 12395110 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chemical References

• Growth Substances
• Microtubule-Associated Proteins
• Neurofilament Proteins
• Plant Extracts
• neurofilament protein H
• Ashwagandha

Topics

• Animals
• Axons (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects, physiology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Cerebral Cortex (cytology, drug effects, embryology)
• Dendrites (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Female
• Fetus
• Growth Substances (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Microtubule-Associated Proteins (drug effects, metabolism)
• Molecular Structure
• Neurites (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Neurofilament Proteins (drug effects, metabolism)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Pregnancy
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• Withania (chemistry)