Abstract
In this study, we investigated the impact of Nardosinone, a bioactive component in Nardostachys root, on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. The neural stem cells were isolated from cerebrums of embryonic day 14 CD1 mice. The proliferation of cells was monitored using the cell counting kit-8 assay, bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and cell cycle analysis. Cell migration and differentiation were investigated with the neurosphere assay and cell specific markers, respectively. The results showed that Nardosinone promotes cells proliferation and increases cells migration distance in a dose-dependent manner. Nardosinone also induces the selective differentiation of neural stem cells to neurons and oligodendrocytes, as indicated by the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 and myelin basic protein, respectively. Nardosinone also increases the expression of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phospho-cAMP response element binding protein during proliferation and differentiation. In conclusion, this study reveals the regulatory effects of Nardosinone on neural stem cells, which may have significant implications for the treatment of brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases.
Highlights
Nardostachys root was first recorded as a Chinese medicine in the book A Supplement to Materia Medica in 741 A.D
After neural stem cells (NSCs) were cultured under differentiation conditions for 7 d, microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) positive, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive and myelin basic protein (MBP) positive cells were detected, indicating the presence of mature neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, respectively (Fig. 1C, 1D, 1E)
We have found that Nar promotes the proliferation of NSCs and increases cell migration distance in a dose-dependent manner
Summary
Nardostachys root was first recorded as a Chinese medicine in the book A Supplement to Materia Medica in 741 A.D. Pharmacological studies suggest that extracts from Nardostachys root and its major ingredient Nardosinone (Nar) have sedative, adaptogen-like and anti-depressive activities [1,2]. Our previous study suggested that Nar has protective effects on primary neural cultures under the condition of oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro, which is closely related to activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) [4]. Together, these findings show that Nar has broad effects on the nervous system, which may underlie the clinical efficacy previously demonstrated for Nardostachys root
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