Yigong Powder regulates CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling to reduce glutamate release and prevent cognitive decline in mouse model of aging / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the effect of preventive administration of Yigong Powder on the learning and memory abilities of the mouse model of aging induced by D-galactose and decipher the underlying mechanism, so as to provide a basis for the application of Yigong Powder in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline. Forty KM mice were randomized into control, model, donepezil(1.5 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-dose(7.5 g·kg~(-1)) and low-dose(3.75 g·kg~(-1)) Yigong Powder groups. The mice in other groups except the control group were injected with D-galactose(200 g·kg~(-1)) at the back of the neck for the modeling of aging. At the same time, the mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for one month. Morris water maze was used to examine the learning and memory abilities of the mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological and morphological changes of the hippocampus. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA1), glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), chemokine C-X-C-motif ligand 12(CXCL12), chemokine C-X-C-motif receptor 4(CXCR4) in the hippocampus and observe the positional relationship between IBA1, GFAP, and CXCR4. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of extracellular regulated kinase(ERK), p-ERK, and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1(TNFR1). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of glutamate and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) in the brain tissue and the level of TNF-α in the serum and spleen. Yigong Powder significantly shortened the escape latency, increased the times crossing platforms, and prolonged the cumulative time in quadrants of the aging mice. It alleviated the nerve cell disarrangement, increased intercellular space, and cell degeneration or death in the hippocampus and reduced the pathology score of the damaged nerve. Moreover, Yigong Powder reduced the positive area of IBA1 and GFAP, reduced the levels of TNF-α in the brain tissue, serum, and spleen, and decreased spleen index. Furthermore, Yigong Powder decreased the average fluorescence intensity of CXCL12 and CXCR4, reduced CXCR4-positive astrocytes and microglia, down-regulated the protein levels of p-ERK/ERK and TNFR1, and lowered the level of glutamate in the brain tissue. This study showed that the preventive administration of Yigong Powder can ameliorate the learning and memory decline of the D-galactose-induced aging mice by regulating the immune function of the spleen and the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in the brain to reduce glutamate release. However, the mechanism of Yigong San in preventing and treating dementia via regulating spleen and stomach function remains to be studied.

Inhibitory effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum on galactose induced cataracts in a rat model; in vitro and in vivo studies

To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-cataract potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum [TF] on galactose induced cataracts in an animal model. In the in vitro group, enucleated rat lenses were maintained in organ culture containing Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium alone [normal group], or with the addition of 30 mM galactose [control group]. The medium in the test group was supplemented with both galactose and TF. All lenses were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and then processed for determination of levels of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde. In the in vivo group, cataracts were induced in rats by a 30% galactose diet alone [control] or with the addition of TF [treated group]. Reduction [26%] in glutathione level and elevation [31%] in malondialdehyde content were observed in controls as compared to normal lenses. TF significantly [P<0.01] restored glutathione and reduced malondialdehyde levels as compared to controls. A significant delay in the onset and progression of cataract was observed with 2.5% TF diet; after 30 days none of the treated eyes developed mature cataracts as compared to 100% of control eyes. TF can delay the onset and progression of cataracts in an experimental rat model of galactose induced cataracts both in vitro and in vivo

effect of silybum marianum [L] Gaertn. seed extract [Silymarin] on galactose induced cataract formation in rats

Increased oxygen free radical and reduced glutathione level in the eye lens are important risk factor for cataract formation. The antioxidative property and increasing cellular and extra cellular glutathione level have been reported by several herbal medicines including silymarin. In present interventional study Silybum marianum L. seed extract [silymarin] was tested against galactose-induced cataract development in rats. Thirty male 45 days old wistar rats [150-200 g], were divided in three groups of 10 rats each. Cataract was induced in two groups of rats following feeding them with 30% galactose diet for 40 days. One group kept as control and silymarin in the dose of 200 mg/kg/d was administered orally [mixed with galactose diet] to other group for 40 days. Cataract development in the rats lens was observed daily by ophthalmoscope and naked eye during the study. The glutathione [GSH] and lipid peroxides [LPO] levels were determined after 20 days in all rats left eye lens. The results indicated that, in silymarin treated group all stage of cataract development were significantly delayed as compared to control group. In rats treated with silymarin the lens GSH level was increased significantly [P < 0.01] and LPO levels was decreased significantly as compared to control group [P < 0.05]. Administration of silymarin to galactose fed rats showed beneficial effect on prevention of cataract development as well as antioxidative defence system such as increase in lens GSH and decrease LPO levels

Taurine as anticataractogenic agent in galactose - feeding rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of taurine on the onset and maturation of galactose induced cataract. Fort y Male Sprague - Dawley rats [21 days old] were divided into 4 groups containing ten rats each. Group 1 received control diet, group 2 received 30% galactose in the diet, group 3 received the group 2 diet plus 2% taurine solution and group 4 received control diet plus 2% taurine solution. After the period of 28 days, biochemical parameters such as lipid peroxidation products, aldose reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, protein thiol and reduced glutathione were estimated in the lens. Crystallin profile was analyzed by column chromatography. Galactose-fed rats showed increased lipid peroxidation and impaired antioxidant status of the lens with an increase in maturation of cataract. Taurine administration to galactose- fed rats attenuated the increased lipid peroxidation, enhanced the levels of antioxidant, inhibited the activity of aldose reductase enzyme and improved the crystallin profile. Inhibitions of peroxidation markers and up regulation of antioxidant activity of rat lens by taurine signify the potential utility of taurine as anticataractogenic agent in diabetic rats