Chinese Herbs Healing N O T E : http://neurosciencenews.com/plant-alzheimers-compound-6938/ 
Plant Reveals Anti-Alzheimer’s Compounds
Neuroscience NewsNEUROSCIENCE NEWSJUNE 20, 2017
FEATUREDNEUROLOGYOPEN NEUROSCIENCE ARTICLES5 MIN READ
Summary: Researchers have identified several active compounds from Drynaria Rhizome that appear to be able to improve memory and reduce disease characteristics in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Frontiers.
Japanese scientists develop a new technique to isolate active therapeutic compounds for Alzheimer’s disease from plants.
Japanese scientists have developed a method to isolate and identify active compounds in plant medicines, which accurately accounts for drug behavior in the body. Using the technique, they have identified several active compounds from Drynaria Rhizome, a traditional plant medicine, which improve memory and reduce disease characteristics in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
Traditional plant medicines have been used by humans for a long time, and these therapies are still popular in many countries. Plants typically contain a huge variety of compounds, many of which have no effect in the body, and some which can have significant effects. If a plant medicine shows a therapeutic effect, scientists are interested in isolating and identifying the compounds that cause the effect to see if they can be used as new drugs.
In many cases, scientists repeatedly screen crude plant medicines in lab experiments to see if any compounds show a particular effect in cells grown in a dish or in cell-free assays. If a compound shows a positive effect in cells or test tubes, it could potentially be used as a drug, and the scientists go on to test it in animals. However, this process is a lot of work and doesn’t account for changes that can happen to drugs when they enter the body – enzymes in the blood and liver can metabolize drugs into various forms called metabolites. In addition, some areas of the body, such as the brain, are difficult to access for many drugs, and only certain drugs or their metabolites will enter these tissues.
“The candidate compounds identified in traditional benchtop drug screens of plant medicines are not always true active compounds, because these assays ignore bio-metabolism and tissue distribution,” explains Chihiro Tohda, senior author on the recent study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. “So, we aimed to develop more efficient methods to identify authentic active compounds that take these factors into account.”
The scientists were interested in finding active compounds for Alzheimer’s disease in Drynaria Rhizome, a traditional plant medicine. They used mice with a genetic mutation as a model for Alzheimer’s disease. This mutation gives the mice some characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease, including reduced memory and a buildup of specific proteins in the brain, called amyloid and tau proteins. This means that the mice are a useful tool to test potential Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
Initially, the researchers mashed the plant up and treated the mice orally using this crude plant extract. They found that the plant treatment reduced memory impairments and levels of amyloid and tau proteins in their brains. In a key step, the team then examined the mouse brain tissue, where the treatment is needed, 5 hours after they treated the mice with the extract. They found that three compounds from the plant had made it into the brain – these were a compound called naringenin and two naringenin metabolites.
Image shows a brain.
The scientists were interested in finding active compounds for Alzheimer’s disease in Drynaria Rhizome, a traditional plant medicine. NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
The researchers then treated the mice with pure naringenin and noticed the same improvements in memory deficits and reductions in amyloid and tau proteins, meaning that naringenin and its metabolites were likely the active compounds in the plant. They found a protein called CRMP2 that naringenin binds to in neurons, which causes them to grow, suggesting that this could be the mechanism by which naringenin can improve Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
The team hope that the technique can be used to identify other treatments. “We are applying this method to discover new drugs for other diseases such as spinal cord injury, depression and sarcopenia,” explains Tohda.
ABOUT THIS NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH ARTICLE
Funding: Funding provided by Institute of Natural Medicine at the University of Toyama.
Source: Melissa Cochrane – Frontiers
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Full open access research for “A Systematic Strategy for Discovering a Therapeutic Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Target Molecule” by Zhiyou Yang, Tomoharu Kuboyama and Chihiro Tohda in Frontiers in Pharmacology. Published online June 19 2017 doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00340
CITE THIS NEUROSCIENCENEWS.COM ARTICLE
MLAAPACHICAGO
Frontiers “Plant Reveals Anti-Alzheimer’s Compounds.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 20 June 2017.
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Abstract
A Systematic Strategy for Discovering a Therapeutic Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Target Molecule
Natural medicines are attractive sources of leading compounds that can be used as interventions for neurodegenerative disorders. The complexity of their chemical components and undetermined bio-metabolism have greatly hindered both the use of natural medicines and the identification of their active constituents. Here, we report a systematic strategy for evaluating the bioactive candidates in natural medicines used for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We found that Drynaria Rhizome could enhance memory function and ameliorate AD pathologies in 5XFAD mice. Biochemical analysis led to the identification of the bio-effective metabolites that are transferred to the brain, namely, naringenin and its glucuronides. To explore the mechanism of action, we combined the drug affinity responsive target stability with immunoprecipitation-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis, identifying the collapsin response mediator protein 2 protein as a target of naringenin. Our study indicates that biochemical analysis coupled with pharmacological methods can be used in the search for new targets for AD intervention.
“A Systematic Strategy for Discovering a Therapeutic Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Target Molecule” by Zhiyou Yang, Tomoharu Kuboyama and Chihiro Tohda in Frontiers in Pharmacology. Published online June 19 2017 doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00340
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HOMEABOUT US CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS CONTACT US HERBS FROM A TO Z LIST OF CHINESE HERBS PRIVACY POLICY
Drynaria (Gu Sui Bu)
Rhizoma DrynariaeDrynaria, just as its mandarin name Gu Sui Bu implied, is an herb that is commonly utilized for shattered bones. That is to say, its Chinese name, translated literally as “broken bone repairing” in English, says it all. However, as one of common Chinese herbs, it is more than just a broken-bone herb and it has what it takes to be more versatile medicinally.
What is Drynaria?
Medicinally it mainly refers to the roots of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm., Drynaria baronii (Christ) Diels, Drynaria propinqua (Wall.)J. Smith, or Pseudodrynaria coronans (Wall.) Ching. And other common names include Drynaria roosii, Drynaria Rhizome, and Rhizoma Drynariae. Among them Drynaria fortunei is a species of basket fern in the family Polypodiaceae. And the first one is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Sichuan; the second one is mainly produced in Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan. This herb can be harvested all year round but winter and spring are preferable. After the harvest, remove leaves and scales, wash clean, moisturize thoroughly, slice, and dry. It is used raw or sand-scorched.
Drynaria fortunei plant is an epiphytic herb, 20 to 40cm high. Fleshy, stout, and long rhizome grows horizontally and is covered densely with brown, linear chisel-shaped scales. Leaves come with two shapes. Foliage leaf is thick and leathery, reddish-brown or grayish brown, ovate, sessile, 5 to 6.5 cm long and 4 to 5.5 cm wide, and with pinnate lobed edges that looks like oak leaves. Sporophyll is green and with a short winged handle. Blade is oblong or oblong, 20 to 37cm long, 8 to 18.5cm wide, and pinnatipartite. 6 to 15 pairs of accessory pinna are broadly lanceolate or oblong, 4 ~ 10 cm long, and 1.5 to 2.5cm wide. Sori are round, brown, arranged with 2 to 4 lines on both sides of the middle vein. Each rectangular mesh harbors one 1 without indusia.
Drynaria benefits
Root of Drynaria fortunei contains naringin, hop-21-ene, fern-9 (11) ene, ern-7-ene, filic-3-ene, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, and tetracyclic triterpenoids, such as cycloardenyl acetate, cyclomargenyl acetate, cyclolaudenyl acetate, 9, 10-cycloanost-25-en-3β-yl acetate, and so on. However, as far as the chemical constituents are concerned, it provides with no health benefits information, which instead can be revealed by its pharmacology.
Modern pharmacological actions of Drynaria
1. Its water decoction and Drynaria extract by alcohol can prevent the rising of serum cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, they can prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques;
2. Its polysaccharides and flavanone glycosides can lower blood lipid and resist arteriosclerosis;
3. It can promote bone’s absorption of calcium, increase calcium and phosphorus levels, which is conducive to fracture healing;
4. It can improve cartilage cells and postpone degenerative lesions of bone cells;
5. The flavanone glycosides contained have significant sedative and analgesic effects.
Proven Drynaria herbal remedies
On the basis of related description on Chinese Materia Medica, this herb is considered bitter in flavor and warm in properties. And it goes to meridians of liver and kidney. Its fundamental functions are tonifying kidney to reinforce bones and promoting blood circulation to arrest pain. Basic medicinal uses and indications are lumbago due to the kidney deficiency, flaccid feet and knee, deafness, toothache, chronic diarrhea, enuresis, bone fractures, alopecia areata, and so on. Recommended dosage is from 10 to 20 grams in decoction, tea pills, or powder.
1. Gu Sui Bu San. This formula comes from Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang (Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief). It is basically used for incised wound and injury of the soft tissues and broken bones. Other major herbal ingredients are Zi Ran Tong (native copper), Hu Jing Gu (Tiger Shin), Bai Gui (Tortoise Plastron), Mo Yao (Myrrh), and more.
2. Shen Xiao Fang. This prescription is from Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief too. It is mainly formulated for kidney deficiency induced low back pain, flaccidity of lower limbs, tinnitus and deafness, toothache, chronic diarrhea, and so on. Other primary herbs include Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea Fruit), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), and so on.
Drynaria side effects and contraindications
It was reported that overdose of Drynaria herb might result in adverse reactions such as poisoning and stomachache. But so far no recognized drug interactions found clinically. TCM wise Gu Sui Bu herb should be used with cautions in cases of fire excess from yin deficiency and blood deficiency and wind-dry.
Plant Reveals Anti-Alzheimer’s Compounds
Neuroscience NewsNEUROSCIENCE NEWSJUNE 20, 2017
FEATUREDNEUROLOGYOPEN NEUROSCIENCE ARTICLES5 MIN READ
Summary: Researchers have identified several active compounds from Drynaria Rhizome that appear to be able to improve memory and reduce disease characteristics in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Frontiers.
Japanese scientists develop a new technique to isolate active therapeutic compounds for Alzheimer’s disease from plants.
Japanese scientists have developed a method to isolate and identify active compounds in plant medicines, which accurately accounts for drug behavior in the body. Using the technique, they have identified several active compounds from Drynaria Rhizome, a traditional plant medicine, which improve memory and reduce disease characteristics in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
Traditional plant medicines have been used by humans for a long time, and these therapies are still popular in many countries. Plants typically contain a huge variety of compounds, many of which have no effect in the body, and some which can have significant effects. If a plant medicine shows a therapeutic effect, scientists are interested in isolating and identifying the compounds that cause the effect to see if they can be used as new drugs.
In many cases, scientists repeatedly screen crude plant medicines in lab experiments to see if any compounds show a particular effect in cells grown in a dish or in cell-free assays. If a compound shows a positive effect in cells or test tubes, it could potentially be used as a drug, and the scientists go on to test it in animals. However, this process is a lot of work and doesn’t account for changes that can happen to drugs when they enter the body – enzymes in the blood and liver can metabolize drugs into various forms called metabolites. In addition, some areas of the body, such as the brain, are difficult to access for many drugs, and only certain drugs or their metabolites will enter these tissues.
“The candidate compounds identified in traditional benchtop drug screens of plant medicines are not always true active compounds, because these assays ignore bio-metabolism and tissue distribution,” explains Chihiro Tohda, senior author on the recent study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. “So, we aimed to develop more efficient methods to identify authentic active compounds that take these factors into account.”
The scientists were interested in finding active compounds for Alzheimer’s disease in Drynaria Rhizome, a traditional plant medicine. They used mice with a genetic mutation as a model for Alzheimer’s disease. This mutation gives the mice some characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease, including reduced memory and a buildup of specific proteins in the brain, called amyloid and tau proteins. This means that the mice are a useful tool to test potential Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
Initially, the researchers mashed the plant up and treated the mice orally using this crude plant extract. They found that the plant treatment reduced memory impairments and levels of amyloid and tau proteins in their brains. In a key step, the team then examined the mouse brain tissue, where the treatment is needed, 5 hours after they treated the mice with the extract. They found that three compounds from the plant had made it into the brain – these were a compound called naringenin and two naringenin metabolites.
Image shows a brain.
The scientists were interested in finding active compounds for Alzheimer’s disease in Drynaria Rhizome, a traditional plant medicine. NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
The researchers then treated the mice with pure naringenin and noticed the same improvements in memory deficits and reductions in amyloid and tau proteins, meaning that naringenin and its metabolites were likely the active compounds in the plant. They found a protein called CRMP2 that naringenin binds to in neurons, which causes them to grow, suggesting that this could be the mechanism by which naringenin can improve Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
The team hope that the technique can be used to identify other treatments. “We are applying this method to discover new drugs for other diseases such as spinal cord injury, depression and sarcopenia,” explains Tohda.
ABOUT THIS NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH ARTICLE
Funding: Funding provided by Institute of Natural Medicine at the University of Toyama.
Source: Melissa Cochrane – Frontiers
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Full open access research for “A Systematic Strategy for Discovering a Therapeutic Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Target Molecule” by Zhiyou Yang, Tomoharu Kuboyama and Chihiro Tohda in Frontiers in Pharmacology. Published online June 19 2017 doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00340
CITE THIS NEUROSCIENCENEWS.COM ARTICLE
MLAAPACHICAGO
Frontiers “Plant Reveals Anti-Alzheimer’s Compounds.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 20 June 2017.
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