Xanthotoxin reverses Parkinson's disease-like symptoms in zebrafish larvae and mice models: a comparative study.

Researchers evaluated the antiparkinsonian effects of furanocoumarin-xanthotoxin using two behavioral animal models. One model involved zebrafish larvae treated with 6-hydroxydopamine, and the other involved mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. The results of the study suggest that furanocoumarin-xanthotoxin may have potential therapeutic effects on Parkinson's disease. However, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings and to develop this treatment further.

Kozioł E et al (2021).

Pharmacol Rep.

DOI:

10.1007/s43440-020-00136-9

PubMed:

32700246

Neuroprotective effects of Levisticum officinale on LPS-induced spatial learning and memory impairments through neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Levisticum officinale extract (LOE) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase activities. In a study on rats, LOE was administered at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg kg-1 for a week and continued for 3 more weeks with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection to induce neuroinflammation. LOE significantly attenuated LPS-induced spatial learning and memory deficits. LPS increased the mRNA expression level of interleukin-6 in the hippocampus, accompanied by decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression levels. LPS also increased malondialdehyde levels, reduced antioxidant enzyme activities, and impaired neurogenesis. However, pre-treatment with LOE at a dose of 100 mg kg-1 significantly reversed LPS-induced changes and improved neurogenesis. LOE's beneficial effect on learning and memory is attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities, and ability to increase BDNF expression and neurogenesis.

Amraie E, Pouraboli I and Rajaei Z (2020).

Food Funct.

DOI:

10.1039/d0fo01030h

PubMed:

32648872

Aster ageratoides Turcz. extract attenuates Alzheimer's disease-associated cognitive deficits and vascular dementia-associated neuronal death.

Jeong JH et al (2020).

Anat Cell Biol.

DOI:

10.5115/acb.20.011

PubMed:

32647089

Total flavonoids of Selaginella pulvinata alleviates cognitive impairment in mice.

Zhang L et al (2020).

Biomed Rep.

DOI:

10.3892/br.2020.1315

PubMed:

32607237

Characterization of Polysaccharides Extracted from Pulps and Seeds of Crataegus azarolus L. var. aronia: Preliminary Structure, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, α-Amylase, and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Properties.

Researchers extracted polysaccharides from the pulps and seeds of L. var. through a hot water method and characterized them using various methods. The polysaccharides were found to have antioxidant, -amylase and antiacetylcholinesterase activity and displayed antibacterial effects against seven microorganisms, particularly Gram-positive bacteria. The highest total carbohydrate and uronic acid contents were found in the polysaccharides from pulp (CAP). These results indicate that polysaccharides from L. var. may be a new source of antioxidants and useful in the food and pharmaceutical industries as enzyme inhibitory agents.

Rjeibi I, Zaabi R and Jouida W (2020).

Oxid Med Cell Longev.

DOI:

10.1155/2020/1903056

PubMed:

32566076

Insight into potent leads for alzheimer's disease by using several artificial intelligence algorithms.

This study used a network pharmacology-based approach to investigate potential Traditional Chinese Medicine candidates as treatment targets for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Artificial Intelligence algorithms were employed to predict the bioactivity of the candidates and to explore the predicted results efficiently. The study showed that herbs Ardisia japonica, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Lippia nodiflora and Mirabilis jalapa might be a potential medicine formula for AD. Binding stability of the potential inhibitors was evaluated using 100 ns of MD simulation. This study elucidates new potential TCM approaches to treat AD.

He X et al (2020).

Biomed Pharmacother.

DOI:

10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110360

PubMed:

32559623

Applications of scanning electron microscopy in taxonomy with special reference to family Euphorbiaceae.

Researchers used scanning electron microscopy to identify 20 important medicinal plant species in the Euphorbiaceae family by analyzing their leaf anatomy. They recorded various qualitative and quantitative measurements for features such as epidermal cells, stomata, and trichomes on both sides of the leaves. Most species had irregular or polygonal epidermal cells, while only five had hexagonal cells. Stomata were more abundant on the underside of the leaves, and some species had specialized types of stomata. Trichomes were present in few species. Quantitative measurements also revealed differences between species. This study shows that leaf anatomy can be a useful tool for identifying Euphorbiaceae species with medicinal importance.

Alyas T et al (2020).

Microsc Res Tech.

DOI:

10.1002/jemt.23497

PubMed:

32519471

Acute and Chronic Effects of Green Oat (Avena sativa) Extract on Cognitive Function and Mood during a Laboratory Stressor in Healthy Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Humans.

Green oat extracts contain potentially psychoactive phytochemicals that have been shown to improve cognitive function following a single dose. This study investigated the effects of a single dose and four-week administration of a novel herbal extract (cognitaven) on cognitive function, mood, and changes in psychological state during a laboratory stressor. The study found that a single dose of 1290 mg and supplementation for four weeks with both 430 mg and 1290 mg green oat extract improved performance on working memory and multitasking tasks, and the highest dose also decreased the physiological response to stress. There were no treatment-related effects on mood. These results show that chronic supplementation with green oat extract can benefit cognitive function and modulate the physiological response to stress.

Kennedy DO et al (2020).

Nutrients.

DOI:

10.3390/nu12061598

PubMed:

32485993