ABSTRACT
The Artemisia group of plants has long been used as a traditional remedy for various conditions. The present study assessed the sleep-promoting (sedative-hypnotic) effects of Artemisia capillaris Thunberg (A. capillaris), and elucidated a possible mechanism behind its effect. ICR mice were given A. capillaris extract (oral) at different dosages (50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg/kg), distilled water (oral; control), or diazepam (intraperitoneal; reference drug). One hour after administration, locomotion (open-field test) and motor coordination (rota-rod test) were assessed. The extract's effect on pentobarbital-induced sleep was also evaluated. Additionally, electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were measured in rats. To evaluate a possible mechanism behind its effects, changes in chloride ( Cl (-)) ion influx were measured in human neuroblastoma cells. As compared to the control group, mice treated with A. capillaris demonstrated significantly decreased locomotor activity and impaired motor balance and coordination. The extract also shortened the onset and lengthened the duration of sleep induced by pentobarbital sodium. These effects were comparable to that induced by diazepam. Furthermore, A. capillaris-treated rats showed increased delta and decreased alpha EEG waves; an electroencephalographic pattern indicative of relaxation or sedation. In neuroblastoma cells, the extract dose-dependently increased Cl (-) ion influx, which was blocked by co-administration of bicuculline, a GABAA receptor competitive antagonist, suggesting that its effects are mediated through the GABAA receptor- Cl (-) ion channel complex. Altogether, the results of the present study demonstrate that A. capillaris possesses potent sedative-hypnotic effects, which are probably mediated through potentiation of the GABAA receptor- Cl (-) ion channel complex.
Subject(s)
Artemisia/chemistry , Hypnotics and Sedatives , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism , Administration, Oral , Animals , Chloride Channels/metabolism , Chlorides/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Electroencephalography/drug effects , Humans , Locomotion/drug effects , Male , Mice, Inbred ICR , Motor Activity/drug effects , Neuroblastoma/metabolism , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Sleep/drug effects , Stimulation, Chemical , Tumor Cells, CulturedABSTRACT
This study analyzes the apoptosis of HeLa cells to see if we can use the Artemisia capillaris Thunberg for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. We used the HeLa cells to see what effects the A. capillaris Thunberg had on apoptosis of the cancer cells. We checked the cell activity, cell morphological change, DNA fragmentation, and DNA content after administering 0, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 microgram/ml methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol extract of the A. capillaris Thunberg. As for the cell viability, the increase of concentration of methanol and ethyl acetate decreased the survival rate of the cell, but the phenomenon was much weakened in n-butanol extract and was not observed in aqueous extract. The higher the density of the methanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous extract was, the lower the survival rate of the HeLa cell was. These extracts obstructed the cell cohesion and caused the blebbing of the cell membrane and fragmentation of the nucleus, both of which are symptoms of apoptosis. Laddering-pattern DNA fragmentation was observed in the groups that were treated with the 1000 microgram/ml and 2000 microgram/ml of methanol extract. The DNA content of the cells apoptosis measured by fluorescent-activated cell sorter (FACS) increased as the density of the methanol, ethyl acetate and butanol extract increased. The result of the study shows that A. capillaris Thunberg fosters the apoptosis of HeLa cells, which suggests that the A. capillaris Thunberg has a great potential value as food additives, medicinal supplements for patients with chronic diseases, and preventive measures against cancer.
