Neuroscience Studies

The effect of cognitive-behavioral counseling with or without Citrus aurantium essential oil on sleep quality in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial.

This study examined the effect of cognitive-behavioral counseling and aromatherapy with essential oil on sleep quality, anxiety, and quality of life in 75 pregnant women. The intervention groups received counseling with either essential oil or a placebo, while the control group received routine prenatal care. After the intervention, both intervention groups had significantly lower anxiety and higher quality of life scores than the control group, but there was no significant difference in sleep quality. This suggests that non-pharmacological treatments, such as counseling, may benefit pregnant women with sleep disorders. However, further research is needed to confirm these results.

NeurosciencePhytochemistry Citrus aurantium
Rahmani N et al (2023).
Sleep Biol Rhythms.
DOI:
10.1007/s41105-023-00451-7
PubMed:
36778981

Neuroprotective Effects of a Multi-Herbal Extract on Axonal and Synaptic Disruption in Vitro and Cognitive Impairment in Vivo.

The search for preventive therapies that interrupt the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is ongoing. Current therapeutics have limited clinical benefit. To improve the therapeutic efficiency of AD, scientists are exploring molecules targeting multifunction to interact with various pathological components. Herbal medicines with multiplicity of action, such as Bugu-M, have been found to produce cognitive benefits on AD. Bugu-M is a multi-herbal extract composed of various components that confer resilience to cognitive deficits.

Neuroscience Ziziphus jujuba
Lin NH et al (2023).
J Alzheimers Dis Rep.
DOI:
10.3233/ADR-220056
PubMed:
36777330

Essential oil of Acorus tatarinowii Schott inhibits neuroinflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in 3 × Tg-AD transgenic mice.

Researchers studied the effects of Shi chang pu (SCP-oil) on the neuroinflammation of Alzheimer's disease. SCP-oil is the main active component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, a herbal used for AD treatment in China. Results showed that SCP-oil reduced neuroinflammation in the brains of AD model rats by inhibiting the activation of microglia. This study suggests that SCP-oil may have potential as a therapeutic agent for AD.

ImmunologyNeurosciencePhytochemistry Acorus tatarinowii
Xu Z et al (2023).
Phytomedicine.
DOI:
10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154695
PubMed:
36774844

Long-Term Supplementation of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Concentrate Alleviates Age-Related Cognitive Deficit and Oxidative Damage: A Comparative Study of Young vs. Old Mice.

(L.) Skeels, a fruit known for its medicinal properties, has been found to have significant protective effects against age-related neurological changes in mice. After analyzing the fruit's phytochemicals, young mice were supplemented with different concentrations of the fruit for 16 months. The mice showed improved cognitive function and behavior, along with low levels of malondialdehyde and acetylcholinesterase and elevated antioxidant enzymes. This may be due to the antioxidant and anticholinergic effects of phytocompounds identified in the fruit. These findings suggest potential benefits of (L.) Skeels in preventing age-associated amnesia.

Neuroscience Syzygium cumini
Malik N et al (2023).
Nutrients.
DOI:
10.3390/nu15030666
PubMed:
36771374

Brain Targeting by Intranasal Drug Delivery: Effect of Different Formulations of the Biflavone "Cupressuflavone" from Juniperus sabina L. on the Motor Activity of Rats.

The aerial parts of a plant species contain bioflavonoids, including cupressuflavone (CPF), a biflavonoid with various biological activities. To improve the bioavailability of CPF, three self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) were prepared and administered via the intranasal route to rats. Formulations B and C decreased the locomotor activity and balance of rats, with formula C at an intranasal dose of 5 mg/kg having the strongest effect. This study suggests that nose-to-brain drug delivery may be an effective method for treating neurological disorders.

Neuroscience Juniperus sabina
Khafagy ES et al (2023).
Molecules.
DOI:
10.3390/molecules28031354
PubMed:
36771021

Combination of Radix Astragali and Safflower Promotes Angiogenesis in Rats with Ischemic Stroke via Silencing PTGS2.

Radix astragali-safflower (AS) has been used for centuries in China to treat patients with ischemic stroke (IS). In this study, network pharmacology was used to uncover the mechanism of AS in treating IS. AS was shown to promote angiogenesis, which was associated with PTGS2 silence. Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model rats were then treated with AS and showed improved cerebral infarct volume, neurological and histopathological damage, inhibition of cell apoptosis, and increased levels of PDGF-BB, EPO, and TGF-β1. AS was found to promote angiogenesis in MCAO/R rats by reversing the down-regulation of VEGF and promoting the expression of CD31. The protective mechanism of AS for IS involves PTGS2 silence.

CardiologyGeneticsNeuroscience Carthamus tinctorius
Xu S et al (2023).
Int J Mol Sci.
DOI:
10.3390/ijms24032126
PubMed:
36768450

Oleracone F Alleviates Cognitive Impairment and Neuropathology in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 Mice by Reducing the Expression of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule and Leukocyte Adhesion to Brain Vascular Endothelial Cells.

Researchers investigated the effects of flavonoids extracted from a plant on cognition of mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and found that treatment significantly improved memory dysfunction, decreased amyloid plaques and APP protein levels, and alleviated inflammation in the brain. In vitro studies also showed that the flavonoids blocked increases in VCAM-1 protein, reducing leukocyte infiltration to the brain and modulating brain inflammation. These findings suggest that flavonoids may have therapeutic potential for AD.

Neuroscience Portulaca oleracea
Kwon YS et al (2023).
Int J Mol Sci.
DOI:
10.3390/ijms24032056
PubMed:
36768379

Aqueous extract of Ceratonia siliqua L. leaves elicits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and AChE inhibiting effects in amyloid-β42-induced cognitive deficit mice: Role of α7-nAChR in modulating Jak2/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin cascade.

Researchers investigated the effects of Ceratonia siliqua extract on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in mice. AD is caused by several factors including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and amyloid buildup. Mice injected with amyloid-β42, a protein involved in AD, were treated with the extract. The extract improved brain function and reduced AD symptoms, including inflammation and oxidative stress. Researchers found that the extract works by modulating specific pathways, which are involved in AD, in an α7-nAChR-dependent manner. The study suggests that Ceratonia siliqua could be a promising treatment for AD.

ImmunologyNeuroscience Ceratonia siliqua
El Sayed NS et al (2023).
Phytother Res.
DOI:
10.1002/ptr.7766
PubMed:
36760217
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