Neuroprotective effect of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides against monosodium glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.
- Hazarika I, Mukundan GK and Sundari PS (2022).
- Nat Prod Res.
- PubMed:
- 35356842
A study investigated the binding of oil (AGO) and its compounds to GABA receptors in rat cortical membranes and computational modeling. Results show that AGO and methyl eugenol modulate GABA receptors, suggesting their anesthetic activity in mammals is associated with GABA receptor modulation. An oil-in-water nanoemulsion containing 20% w/w AGO (NE-AGO) was formulated and showed promising potential for human anesthesia with increased specific [H]muscimol binding and high tolerance by normal human cells.
The study investigated the molluscicidal effects of extracts from Nerium oleander and Tecoma stans on B. alexandrina snails. Results showed that N. oleander had a stronger effect than T. stans, and the extracts had no negative effects on other organisms. Exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of the extracts caused a decrease in certain blood cell types and biochemical changes, as well as morphological alterations in snail organs. The extracts could be used as a safe and affordable alternative to synthetic molluscicides for controlling the spread of schistosomiasis.
St. John's wort is a plant with bioactive compounds that have been found to have therapeutic effects on psychiatric and mood disorders such as PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and anxiety. This review study discusses the role of St. John's wort in modulating depression, with respect to changes in neurotransmitter levels in the brain. The study concludes that changes in neurotransmitter levels in depression are complex and that St. John's wort can have inconsistent effects on them. Future studies should focus on studying glutamate and acetylcholine as important neurotransmitters to understand in depression, and on the dualistic modulation of cholinergic signaling induced by St. John's wort.
A study showed that a plant extract can protect the brain's hippocampus and cortex against damage caused by lack of oxygen and glucose (ischemia) and subsequent reperfusion. The extract improved cell viability and membrane integrity, reduced oxidative stress levels, and lowered lipid peroxidation. The extract could potentially be used as a healing agent to prevent neuronal cell loss during the ischemic-reperfusion process.
Researchers investigated differences in the use of roots between Korea and China. They analyzed the genetic and chemical similarities among samples derived from different regions using DNA barcoding and chromatographic profiling with chemometric analyses. The results suggest that is more closely related to and , which are used to treat phlegm-heat-induced symptoms in China, than to the roots traditionally used in Korea. This could have important implications for the medicinal application of roots.