Dangguijakyak-san, a medicinal herbal formula, protects dopaminergic neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity.

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY:

Dangguijakyak-san (DJS) is a multi-herbal formula that has long been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine to treat gynecologic disorders, including neurological symptoms. Recent clinical and experimental studies have reported aging and anti-neurodegenerative effects of DJS. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of DJS on dopaminergic (DA) neurons damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

To evaluate the protective effects of DJS, we analyzed viability in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining in primary DA cells. To explore the possible mechanism(s) of neuroprotection, we assessed anti-oxidant activity by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. To determine mitochondria-mediated apoptotic activity, we examined mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation.

RESULTS:

DJS at 0.05-5 μg/mL significantly protected SH-SY5Y cells from 6-OHDA toxicity, dose-dependently, and attenuated 6-OHDA damage in primary DA cells. DJS reduced 6-OHDA-induced intracellular ROS production and GSH depletion and inhibited mitochondrial membrane instability, cytosolic cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results demonstrate that DJS has neuroprotective effects in DA neurons against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through anti-oxidant and anti-mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic activities.

• Authors: Deok-Sang Hwang, Hyo Geun Kim, Ha-Jeong Kwon, Jung-Hoon Cho, Chang-Hoon Lee, Jin-Moo Lee, Jun-Bock Jang, Yong-Suk Kim, Kyung-Sub Lee, Myung Sook Oh
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 133 Issue 2 Pg. 934-9 (Jan 27 2011) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 21075188 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Neurotoxins
• Plant Preparations
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Oxidopamine
• Cytochromes c
• CASP3 protein, human
• Caspase 3
• Glutathione
• Dopamine

Topics

• Antioxidants (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspase 3 (metabolism)
• Cell Line
• Cytochromes c (metabolism)
• Dopamine (metabolism)
• Ethnopharmacology
• Glutathione (metabolism)
• Humans
• Medicine, Korean Traditional
• Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial (drug effects)
• Neurons (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Neurotoxins (toxicity)
• Oxidopamine (toxicity)
• Plant Preparations (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Plants, Medicinal (chemistry)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Republic of Korea