Neuroscience Studies

Modulatory Effects of Decalepis hamiltonii Extract and Its Compounds on the Antioxidant Status of the Aging Rat Brain.

Researchers examined the potential neuroprotective benefits of Dh root extract on age-related oxidative stress in certain regions of rat brains. They achieved this through experiments on rats and examining significant differences in certain regions of their brains. Findings suggest that Dh root extract has neuroprotective properties that can help reduce the effects of aging on certain parts of the brain.

ImmunologyNeuroscience Decalepis hamiltonii
Sowbhagya R et al (2017).
J Pharm Bioallied Sci.
DOI:
10.4103/0975-7406.206219
PubMed:
28584487

Exploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Central Nervous System Targets.

Lavender essential oil is used to alleviate stress and anxiety. Researchers evaluated its effects on the central nervous system and neurotoxicity. Lavender and its components bind to glutamate NMDA-receptors and the serotonin transporter but not the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor. Lavender did not enhance neurotoxic insult and improved cell viability. The study suggests that lavender may have pharmacological properties by modulating the NMDA receptor, SERT, and hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity.

NeurosciencePhytochemistry Lavandula angustifolia
López V et al (2017).
Front Pharmacol.
DOI:
10.3389/fphar.2017.00280
PubMed:
28579958

Phytochemical Quantification and the In Vitro Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Phellodendron chinense and Its Components.

In this study, researchers analyzed the components of the dried bark of Phellodendron chinense and found it contains phellodendrine and berberine. They tested these components for their potential use in treating Alzheimer's disease and found they both inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme involved in the disease. Additionally, the bark extract and phellodendrine had antioxidant properties and protected brain cells from oxidative damage. While neither component had an effect on the beta-amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer's, this research suggests that Phellodendron chinense has potential as an anti-Alzheimer's agent.

NeurosciencePhytochemistry Phellodendron chinense
Kim YJ et al (2017).
Molecules.
DOI:
10.3390/molecules22060925
PubMed:
28574473

Assessment of Mexican Arnica (Heterotheca inuloides Cass) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Extracts on Dopamine and Selected Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Stomach and Brain of Salmonella typhimurium Infected rats.

Researchers investigated the impact of natural products on two neurotransmitters, dopamine and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), in the brains of infected models. The study’s methods involved infecting specific types of mice with a virus and then treating them with varying concentrations of the natural products. The researchers then measured the levels of DA and 5-HIAA in the mice's brains. The study showed that some natural products had a positive effect on these neurotransmitters, which may have implications for neurological disorders that involve imbalances in these chemicals. However, further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Neuroscience Heterotheca inuloides
Guzmàn DC et al (2017).
Pharmacogn Mag.
DOI:
10.4103/0973-1296.204553
PubMed:
28539708

Neuroprotective Effect of Fagopyrum dibotrys Extract against Alzheimer's Disease.

The study investigated the effects of a traditional herbal medicine, containing high levels of polyphenolic antioxidants, on Alzheimer's disease (AD). The extract showed multifunctional properties on AD-related pathologies in mice, such as reducing amyloid deposits and neurotoxicity, and inhibiting microhaemorrhage and reactive microglia. In vitro studies also showed that the extract promoted A-peptide fibrils disaggregation and inhibited neurotoxicity. These results suggest that the herbal extract may have therapeutic potential against AD.

Neuroscience Fagopyrum dibotrys
Liang C et al (2017).
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
DOI:
10.1155/2017/3294586
PubMed:
28512499

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions.

Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of ashwagandha on cognitive function in adults aged 35-85 years. The study consisted of 50 participants who received either 300 mg of ashwagandha or a placebo twice daily for 8 weeks. Cognitive function was measured using various tests. The study found that the ashwagandha group had significant improvement in tests related to executive function, attention, and information processing speed compared to the placebo group. No adverse effects were reported. These findings suggest that ashwagandha may have potential as a safe and effective supplement for improving cognitive function in older adults. However, larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm these results.

Neuroscience Withania somnifera
Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S and Bose S (2017).
J Diet Suppl.
DOI:
10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970
PubMed:
28471731
1 144 153 154 155 164 171