Abstract |
This study investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of crocin, an extract of saffron, on brain damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact (CCI)-induced TBI. Pretreatment with crocin (20mg/kg) had protective effects against TBI, demonstrated by improved neurological severity score (NSS) and brain edema, decreased microglial activation and release of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased cell apoptosis. TBI activated Notch signaling, as shown by upregulated levels of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and Hes1 mRNA, and pretreatment with crocin further increased Notch activation. However, pretreatment with DAPT (100mg/kg), a gamma-secretase inhibitor, significantly suppressed crocin-induced activation of Notch signaling and attenuated the ability of crocin to protect mice against TBI-induced inflammation and apoptosis. Therefore, these results suggest that crocin has neuroprotective effects against TBI in mice, and these effects are at least partially dependent on activation of Notch signaling.
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Authors | Kai Wang, Lei Zhang, Wei Rao, Ning Su, Hao Hui, Li Wang, Cheng Peng, Yue Tu, Sai Zhang, Zhou Fei |
Journal | Neuroscience letters
(Neurosci Lett)
Vol. 591
Pg. 53-58
(Mar 30 2015)
ISSN: 1872-7972 [Electronic] Ireland |
PMID | 25681620
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Neuroprotective Agents
- Receptors, Notch
- Carotenoids
- crocin
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Topics |
- Animals
- Apoptosis
(drug effects)
- Brain Edema
(drug therapy, metabolism)
- Brain Injuries
(drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
- Carotenoids
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Inflammation
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Microglia
(metabolism)
- Neuroprotective Agents
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Receptors, Notch
(metabolism)
- Signal Transduction
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