Anti-Stress and Glial Differentiation Effects of a Novel Combination of Cucurbitacin B and Withanone (CucWi-N): Experimental Evidence

Abstract

Background: Natural extracts and compounds used in traditional home medicine are known for their safety and a variety of health promoting and therapeutic potentials. In contrast to the single molecule mediated targets, the combinational therapies are preferred for their multi-functional and limited toxic regimens and may be useful for disease therapeutics as well as to increase the quality of life during a variety of environmental stresses. Purpose: We aimed to combine the active ingredients of Chinese (Helicteres angustifolia) and Indian (Withania somnifera) ginsengs to develop a natural, efficient, and welfare combinatorial mixture with high anti-stress and glial differentiation potentials. Methods: Using cultured cells as a model system, we developed a combination of active ingredients of Chinese (Cucurbitacin B [Cuc]) and Indian (Withanone [Wi-N]) ginsengs. Eleven chemical models of environmental stresses were used. Cytotoxicity studies were performed using human skin fibroblast for anti-stress and rat glioma cells for glial differentiation effects. Results: We demonstrate that the novel combination of Cuc and Wi-N, CucWi-N, was non-toxic to normal cells. It caused stress protection in assays using normal human fibroblasts subjected to a variety of stresses. Of note, cells showed remarkable protection against oxidative and UV stresses and marked by decrease in DNA damage and reactive oxygen species. We examined and found the glial differentiation potential of CucWi-N in rat glioblastoma cells. CucWi-N clearly induced differentiation phenotype, well-marked with upregulation of GAP43, MAP2, and GFAP, which have been shown to play a key role in glial differentiation. Conclusion: These data demonstrate anti-stress and glial differentiation potential of CucWi-N (a novel combination of Cuc and Wi-N) that could be recruited in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical avenues and hence warrant further evaluation and mechanistic studies.