Abstract
BackgroundIn order to gain insight into neuroprotective effects of ECa 233, a standardized extract of Centella asiatica, previously demonstrated in animal models of memory impairment induced by transient global ischemia or intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid, the effect of ECa 233 on neurite outgrowth of human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cell line was investigated.MethodsCells were seeded and incubated with various concentrations of ECa 233. Morphometric analysis was carried out by a measurement of the longest neurite growth of cells at 24 and 48 h. Contributing signaling pathways possibly involved were subsequently elucidated by western blot analysis.ResultsWhile ECa 233 had only limited effects on cell viability, it significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth of IMR-32 cells at the concentrations of 1–100 μg/ml. Western blot analysis revealed that ECa 233 significantly upregulated the level of activated ERK1/2 and Akt of the treated cells suggesting their involvement in the neuritogenic effect observed, which was subsequently verified by the finding that an addition of their respective inhibitors could reverse the effect of ECa 233 on these cells.ConclusionsThe present study clearly demonstrated neurite outgrowth promoting activity of ECa 233. ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways seemed to account for the neurotrophic effect observed. In conjunction with in vivo neuroprotective effect of ECa 233 previously reported, the results obtained support further development of ECa 233 for clinical use in neuronal injury or neurodegenerative diseases.
Highlights
In order to gain insight into neuroprotective effects of ECa 233, a standardized extract of Centella asiatica, previously demonstrated in animal models of memory impairment induced by transient global ischemia or intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid, the effect of ECa 233 on neurite outgrowth of human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cell line was investigated
To avoid a large fluctuation in biological responses arising from variations of these bioactive constituents, we have established the standardized extract of C. asiatica, namely ECa 233
Specific antibody for phospho-Akt, Akt, phospho-ERK1/2, ERK1/2 and GAPDH were purchased from Abcam (Cambridge, MA, USA), and peroxidase conjugated anti-rabbit secondary antibody were purchased from Cell Signaling (Danvers, MA, USA)
Summary
In order to gain insight into neuroprotective effects of ECa 233, a standardized extract of Centella asiatica, previously demonstrated in animal models of memory impairment induced by transient global ischemia or intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid, the effect of ECa 233 on neurite outgrowth of human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cell line was investigated. In search for potential neurotrophic activity from herbs acting on the central nervous system, the present study focused on the neurotrophic activity of Centella asiatica which has, for a long time, been claimed to be beneficial for managing disorders of the brain, skin and gastrointestinal tract [14] It was used as a brain booster for promoting brain growth and improving memory [12]. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ECa 233 on the neurite growth and its underlying mechanisms in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells
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