Optimizing the compatibility of paired-herb in an ancient Chinese herbal decoction Kai-Xin-San in activating neurofilament expression in cultured PC12 cells.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Kai-Xin-San (KXS), a well-known traditional Chinese herbal decoction, has been widely used to treat mental depression and memory loss in China. It has a combination of four herbs: Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (GR; root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.), Polygalae Radix (PR; root of Polygala tenuifolia Wild.), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR; rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott), and Poria (PO; sclerotium of Poriacocos (Schw.) Wolf), from which a pairing of two herbs was considered as paired-herb, such as the pairing of GR-PR and ATR-PO. The depression-induced neural cell loss is one of the major pathogenesis in depression. Here, an optimized KXS by changing the ratio of paired-herbs in KXS was demonstrated aiming at promoting neural cell differentiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Quantitative assessment of chemical markers in each herbal extract was determined by LC-MS. Promoters of neurofilaments, NF68 and NF200, linked with luciferase reporter gene (pNF68-Luc and pNF200-Luc) were applied in cultured pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells to study the transcriptional activation of each herbal extract. The effect of GR-PR and ATR-PO in improving NF promoter activity was analyzed by Compusyn software. The activation of PKA was indicated.

RESULTS:

In PC12 cells, an optimized KXS named KXS1:5 having 1:5 of GR-PR:ATR-PO had greater capability in promoting the expression of neurofilament. The synergistic effect of GR-PR and ATR-PO on the improved efficiency was further determined. Moreover, the treatment of H89, a PKA inhibitor, significantly inhibited the induced NF promoter activity.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicated an optimized KXS by optimizing the compatibility of paired-herb and this compatibility was proven to exert synergistic effect. Moreover, the underlying mechanism was mediated by a PKA signaling pathway.

• Authors: Lu Yan, Sherry L Xu, Kevin Y Zhu, Kelly Y C Lam, Guizhong Xin, Maitinuer Maiwulanjiang, Ning Li, Tina T X Dong, Huangquan Lin, Karl W K Tsim
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 162 Pg. 155-62 (Mar 13 2015) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 25560671 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Kai-Xin-San

Topics

• Animals
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Intermediate Filaments (genetics, metabolism)
• PC12 Cells
• Rats