Tenuigenin protects dopaminergic neurons from inflammation-mediated damage induced by the lipopolysaccharide.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc).

AIMS:

To study if tenuigenin (TEN), the main active component of Polygala tenuifolia, can protect dopaminergic neurons from inflammation-mediated damage in vivo.

METHODS:

We observed the effects of TEN on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced PD model by behavioral analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, etc.

RESULTS:

We showed that a single intranigral dose of LPSs (10 μg) induced microglial activation, reduced the survival ratio of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons in the SNpc and reduced dopamine (DA) content in the striatum. Treatment with 300 mg/kg TEN once per day over 14 weeks improved the survival rate of TH-ir neurons in the SNpc to 75%, on the non-injected side. Treatment with 200 or 300 mg/kg TEN once per day over 14 weeks significantly improved DA levels in the striatum to 73% and 81% on the non-injected side, respectively. The excessive production of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, was abolished by TEN administration.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that TEN may play a role in protecting dopaminergic neurons against inflammatory challenge.

• Authors: Hui-Li Yuan, Bo Li, Jin Xu, Yong Wang, Yi He, Yan Zheng, Xiao-Min Wang
• Journal: CNS neuroscience & therapeutics (CNS Neurosci Ther) Vol. 18 Issue 7 Pg. 584-90 (Jul 2012) ISSN: 1755-5949 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22759267 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Inflammation Mediators
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Neuroprotective Agents
• tenuigenin

Topics

• Animals
• Dopaminergic Neurons (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Inflammation (metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Inflammation Mediators (antagonists & inhibitors, physiology)
• Lipopolysaccharides (toxicity)
• Male
• Motor Activity (drug effects, physiology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley