Search for Natural Products Related to Regeneration of the Neuronal Network

Vol. 14, No. 1-2, 2005

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Search for Natural Products Related to Regeneration of the Neuronal Network
Chihiro Tohda^a, Tomoharu Kuboyama^a,b, Katsuko Komatsu^a,b

^aResearch Center for Ethnomedicines, Institute of Natural Medicine, and
^b21st Century COE Program, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan

Address of Corresponding Author

Neurosignals 2005;14:34-45 (DOI: 10.1159/000085384)

Key Words

Neuritic atrophy
Synaptic loss
Dendrite
Axon
Alzheimer's disease
Amyloid-beta
Ginseng
Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha
Coffee bean

Abstract

The reconstruction of neuronal networks in the damaged brain is necessary for the therapeutic treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We have screened the neurite outgrowth activity of herbal drugs, and identified several active constituents. In each compound, neurite outgrowth activity was investigated under amyloid- beta -induced neuritic atrophy. Most of the compounds with neurite regenerative activity also demonstrated memory improvement activity in Alzheimer's disease-model mice. Protopanaxadiol-type saponins in Ginseng drugs and their metabolite, M1 (20-O- beta -D-glucopyranosyl-(20S)-protopanaxadiol), showed potent regeneration activity for axons and synapses, and amelioration of memory impairment. Withanolide derivatives (withanolide A, withanoside IV, and withanoside VI) isolated from the Indian herbal drug Ashwagandha, also showed neurite extension in normal and damaged cortical neurons. Trigonelline, a constituent of coffee beans, demonstrated the regeneration of dendrites and axons, in addition to memory improvement.

Author Contacts

Katsuko Komatsu, PhD
Research Center for Ethnomedicines, Institute of Natural Medicine
Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani
Toyama 930-0194 (Japan)
Tel. +81 76 434 7645, Fax +81 76 434 5064, E-Mail katsukok@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp

Article Information

Received: October 11, 2004
Accepted after revision: November 16, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 7, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 47

Medline Abstract (ID 15956813)

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