Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Fumaria officinalis L. and Their Biological Activities Related to Alzheimer's Disease.

Researchers isolated two new alkaloids, fumaranine and fumarostrejdine, and 18 known alkaloids from Fumaria officinalis. They determined the structure of the compounds through spectroscopic analysis and compared them with literature data. The absolute configuration of fumaranine was determined by comparing its circular dichroism spectra with known analogs. Some of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β activities. Parfumidine and sinactine were found to have potent POP inhibition activities.

Chlebek J et al (2016).

Chem Biodivers.

DOI:

10.1002/cbdv.201500033

PubMed:

26765356

Marchantia polymorpha: Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Morphology of a Model System.

Marchantia polymorpha is a commonly studied plant in plant biology due to its potential as a new model system, aided by ease of genetic transformation and genome sequencing. The author provides a comprehensive review of the plant's anatomy and developmental morphology of each organ and tissue of the gametophyte and sporophyte through extensive literature review and observations. This research provides an important resource for future studies on Marchantia polymorpha.

Shimamura M et al (2016).

Plant Cell Physiol.

DOI:

10.1093/pcp/pcv192

PubMed:

26657892

Anxiolytic and sedative activities of aqueous leaf extract of Dichrocephala integrifolia (Asteraceae) in mice.

Ketcha Wanda GJ et al (2015).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2015.11.035

PubMed:

26602454

Neuroprotective effects of Tilia americana var. mexicana on damage induced by cerebral ischaemia in mice.

This study investigated the effects of Tilia americana var. mexicana on damage caused by cerebral ischaemia in mice. The researchers administered non-polar and polar extracts of the plant immediately after inducing ischaemia. The experimental groups treated with these extracts had improved neurological deficits, increased survival rate, and reduced infarct area compared to the ischaemic group. The study confirms the neuroprotective activity of T. americana, suggests a possible synergism between non-polar and polar constituents, and supports its potential as a useful aid in the clinical management of stroke.

Angeles-López GE et al (2016).

Nat Prod Res.

DOI:

10.1080/14786419.2015.1110701

PubMed:

26592749

Genoprotective and neuroprotective effects of Daphne gnidium leaf methanol extract, tested on male mice.

Researchers tested the effects of a plant extract from Daphne gnidium leaves on mice. They found that the extract has antioxidant and antibutyrylcholinesterase properties, suggesting it could be useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. The extract also showed antigenotoxic effects in mice injected with a toxic chemical. At the lowest dose, the extract was able to protect kidney cells by 99.12%, and blood cells by 92.16%. The extract was given to mice through intraperitoneal injection and demonstrated a maximum antioxidant activity of 74.52% with an IC50 value of 45 µg/ml. The extract also inhibited butyrylcholinesterase by 35.82% at the lowest tested dose.

Chaabane F et al (2016).

Drug Chem Toxicol.

DOI:

10.3109/01480545.2015.1107730

PubMed:

26582193

Oenanthe Javanica Extract Protects Against Experimentally Induced Ischemic Neuronal Damage via its Antioxidant Effects.

Park JH et al (2015).

Chin Med J (Engl).

DOI:

10.4103/0366-6999.168063

PubMed:

26521793

The effects of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents on nervous system: A review.

Saffron, a medicinal plant commonly used in Asia, has been shown to have various health benefits such as treatment for coronary artery diseases, hypertension, stomach disorders, dysmenorrhea, and learning and memory impairments. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, antigenotoxic, and cytotoxic activities and shows promising results in antitussive, anticonvulsant, anti-Alzheimer, and depression treatments. The study found that saffron and its components increase glutamate and dopamine levels in the brain and interact with the opioid system to reduce withdrawal syndrome. The results suggest that saffron and its constituents could be promising agents in treating nervous system disorders.

Khazdair MR et al (2015).

Avicenna J Phytomed.

PubMed:

26468457

The non-competitive blockade of GABAA receptors by an aqueous extract of water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) tubers.

Water hemlocks are extremely toxic plants due to the presence of cicutoxin. This study investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of water hemlock on GABAA receptors in WSS-1 cells. Noncompetitive blockade of the receptors was observed, indicating the potential mechanisms behind the plant's toxicity. Additionally, researchers found that midazolam could modulate the blockade, which could have implications for treatment options in cases of water hemlock poisoning.

Green BT et al (2015).

Toxicon.

DOI:

10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.09.015

PubMed:

26415905