Neuroscience Studies

Pharmacological screening of silibinin for antischizophrenic activity along with its acute toxicity evaluation in experimental animals.

Silibinin, a compound extracted from milk thistle, has traditionally been used to treat liver disease. This study evaluated the potential of silibinin as an antipsychotic drug and assessed its potential toxicity. Animal studies showed that the LD of silibinin was greater than 2,000mg/kg, indicating low toxicity. Silibinin was found to prevent and reverse symptoms of schizophrenia, including stereotypy and behavioral despair. These findings suggest that silibinin is a safe drug with significant antipsychotic activity against schizophrenia.

Neuroscience Silybum marianum
Ain QU et al (2023).
Front Pharmacol.
DOI:
10.3389/fphar.2023.1111915
PubMed:
36817163

Aerial part of Houttuynia cordata reverses memory impairment by regulating amyloid beta accumulation and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease model.

An herbal medicine, Houttuyniae Herba (HH), traditionally used to treat various ailments, has been found to protect neurons and regulate dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) models. Administered to transgenic mice, HH reduced amyloid-β accumulation and improved memory impairment. In vitro, HH inhibited amyloid-β aggregation and increased alpha-secretase expression. With anti-neuroinflammatory effects, HH reduced glial activation and increased synaptophysin expression. HH may be a promising herbal drug for AD patients in need of multiple improvements.

ImmunologyNeuroscience Houttuynia cordata
Ju IG et al (2023).
Phytother Res.
DOI:
10.1002/ptr.7781
PubMed:
36814130

Protective effect of Nardostachys jatamansi extract against lithium-pilocarpine-induced spontaneous recurrent seizures and associated cardiac irregularities in a rat model.

The plant Nardostachys jatamansi is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat epilepsy and cardiovascular issues. Its underground parts are specifically used for this purpose.

CardiologyNeuroscience Nardostachys jatamansi
Sharma S et al (2023).
J Ethnopharmacol.
DOI:
10.1016/j.jep.2023.116280
PubMed:
36813245

A review on garlic as a supplement for Alzheimer's disease: a mechanistic insight in its direct and indirect effects.

Researchers are investigating various hypotheses on the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including the Amyloid beta and Tau hypotheses. New mechanisms like immune, endocrine, and vagus pathways are also being explored. Garlic possesses antioxidant properties due to its allicin content, and its beneficial effects on AD are being examined. Garlic's components, including allicin and S-allyl cysteine, show promise in their effects on amyloid beta, oxidative stress, tau protein, gene expression, and cholinesterase enzymes. While animal studies have been positive, further research on humans is needed to fully understand garlic's exact effects on AD.

Neuroscience Allium sativum
Ghazimoradi MM et al (2023).
Curr Pharm Des.
DOI:
10.2174/1381612829666230222093016
PubMed:
36809972

Hederagenin improves Alzheimer's disease through PPARα/TFEB-mediated autophagy.

Researchers investigated the potential of hederagenin (HD) as a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease. HD is a triterpene compound found in various foods with known neuroprotective effects. The study focused on HD's ability to restore autophagic flux - the coordinated degradation of pathogenic proteins - which is closely associated with AD. The experimenters found that HD increases transcription factor EB (TFEB) activity, a master regulator gene, and enhances autophagic flux. These results suggest HD could be a useful treatment for AD, but further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Neuroscience Medicago sativa
Xie ZS et al (2023).
Phytomedicine.
DOI:
10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154711
PubMed:
36809694

The effect of crocin on cholestasis-induced spatial memory impairment with respect to the expression level of TFAM and PGC-1α and activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in the hippocampus.

Cholestasis has negative effects on brain function and memory, while crocin has been shown to be neuroprotective. This study evaluated the effect of crocin on spatial learning and memory in rats with cholestasis. Bile duct ligation was used to induce cholestasis, and crocin was administered for 30 days. The results showed that crocin partially reversed the negative effects of cholestasis on spatial memory and increased levels of important proteins in the hippocampus. Crocin may have a significant neuroprotective effect on memory impairment caused by cholestasis.

Neuroscience Crocus sativus
Mehrabanifar S et al (2023).
Metab Brain Dis.
DOI:
10.1007/s11011-023-01176-9
PubMed:
36807082

Elucidating the promising role of traditional Chinese medicine in neuroprotection against oxidative stress encompassing Alzheimer's disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has shown potential in managing Alzheimer's disease (AD) by breaking the vicious cycle of oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. The active constituents of various herbs in TCM have a long history in managing oxidative stress and have highlighted therapeutic potential. Chinese herbs provide a multiple-target approach, which can target multiple pathways involved in AD, and untangle the issues in the current therapy regimen of AD. This review suggests that TCM is a promising candidate for breaking the vicious cycle of oxidative stress in AD therapy.

ImmunologyNeuroscience Angelica sinensisPolygala tenuifolia
Arora A et al (2023).
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int.
DOI:
10.1007/s11356-023-25800-4
PubMed:
36790717

Comparison of chemical compositions, antioxidant activities, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities between coffee flowers and leaves as potential novel foods.

Comparing the chemical compositions and antioxidant properties of coffee flowers, leaves, and beans revealed significant differences. The coffee samples contained various chemicals belonging to 12 classes, with phenylpropanoids being the most dominant. Additionally, ACL had the highest DPPH radical scavenging capacity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity while ACF had the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity. These findings suggest that coffee flowers and leaves may have potential value as novel foods in the future due to their antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.

Neuroscience Coffea arabica
Shen X et al (2022).
Food Sci Nutr.
DOI:
10.1002/fsn3.3126
PubMed:
36789063
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