Alkylamides from Zanthoxylum armatum DC. and their neuroprotective activity.

Researchers isolated and identified 15 alkylamides from the pericarps of Zanthoxylum armatum DC, a plant commonly used for medicinal purposes in Asia. Five of the compounds were previously unknown. The researchers found that compounds 2-4 had potential neuroprotective effects, reducing oxidative stress and increasing cell viability in human neuroblastoma cells. The study expands knowledge of alkylamide structures in Z. armatum and suggests the plant may have medicinal properties for neurodegenerative diseases.

Ye QN et al (2023).

Phytochemistry.

DOI:

10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113704

PubMed:

37146703

Danggui Buxue decoction ameliorates mitochondrial biogenesis and cognitive deficits through upregulating histone H4 lysine 12 acetylation in APP/PS1 mice.

Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD), a traditional Chinese medicine consisting of Astragali Radix and Angelica Sinensis Radix, has been used to treat dementia. Researchers found that DBD can improve cognition deficits in neurodegenerative diseases by supplementing 'blood' and 'qi' levels. However, the mechanisms behind this effect are not well understood.

Chai GS et al (2023).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2023.116554

PubMed:

37137453

Polysaccharides from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berries ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in AD mice induced by a combination of D-gal and AlCl(3) by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation reaction.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat heart ailments, rheumatism, and brain disorders. Recent studies suggest that its polysaccharide (HRP) may improve cognitive impairment in mice with Alzheimer's disease, but the protective mechanism remains unclear.

Zhao H et al (2023).

J Sci Food Agric.

DOI:

10.1002/jsfa.12673

PubMed:

37132070

Engeletin alleviates cerebral ischemia reperfusion-induced neuroinflammation via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB network.

Engeletin, derived from Smilax glabra rhizomilax, has neuroprotective effects in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury, reducing deficits, infarct size, inflammation, and apoptosis. It suppresses the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory network.

Xu Y et al (2023).

J Cell Mol Med.

DOI:

10.1111/jcmm.17758

PubMed:

37132060

The effects of melissa officinalis on depression and anxiety in type 2 diabetes patients with depression: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial.

M. officinalis extract may be an effective natural treatment option for diabetic patients with depression symptoms, as it improved depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in a study.

Safari M et al (2023).

BMC Complement Med Ther.

DOI:

10.1186/s12906-023-03978-x

PubMed:

37131158

Protection of Oxygen Glucose Deprivation-Induced Human Brain Vascular Pericyte Injury: Beneficial Effects of Bellidifolin in Cellular Pyroptosis.

Pericytes help maintain brain vascular health, but their role in ischemic stroke injury is unclear. Inflammation worsens stroke damage, but this study found that an immortalized human brain pericyte cell line challenged with oxygen and glucose deprivation resulted in inflammation triggered by the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. The protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) was involved, and a compound derived from Tibetan medicine, bellidifolin, showed promise in reducing inflammasome formation and protecting against pyroptosis. These findings offer new therapeutic avenues for stroke treatment.

An D et al (2023).

Neurochem Res.

DOI:

10.1007/s11064-023-03943-7

PubMed:

37127800

Sanhua decoction: Current understanding of a traditional herbal recipe for stroke.

Sanhua decoction (SHD), a traditional Chinese medicine with over 40 bioactive compounds, shows promise in treating ischemic stroke by suppressing inflammation, protecting the blood brain barrier, inhibiting apoptosis, scavenging oxygen free radicals, and more. Large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and understand its mechanisms.

Zheng L et al (2023).

Front Neurosci.

DOI:

10.3389/fnins.2023.1149833

PubMed:

37123364

Active constituents of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and their prospects in treating neurodegenerative diseases (Review).

Yang W et al (2023).

Exp Ther Med.

DOI:

10.3892/etm.2023.11934

PubMed:

37114174