Song Bu Li Decoction, a Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Protects Cell Death by Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Differentiation in Cultured PC12 Cells

Maitinuer Maiwulanjiang,Roy C Y Choi,Haji A Aisa,Crystal Y Q Du,Abudureyimu Miernisha,Kitty K M Lau,Tina T X Dong,Kevin Y Zhu,Jianping Chen,Karl W K Tsim,Sherry L Xu

doi:10.1155/2013/687958

Abstract

Song Bu Li decoction (SBL) is a traditional Uyghur medicinal herbal preparation, containing Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma. Recently, SBL is being used to treat neurological disorders (insomnia and neurasthenia) and heart disorders (arrhythmia and palpitation). Although this herbal extract has been used for many years, there is no scientific basis about its effectiveness. Here, we aimed to evaluate the protective and differentiating activities of SBL in cultured PC12 cells. The pretreatment of SBL protected the cell against tBHP-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. In parallel, SBL suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. The transcriptional activity of antioxidant response element (ARE), as well as the key antioxidative stress proteins, was induced in dose-dependent manner by SBL in the cultures. In cultured PC12 cells, the expression of neurofilament, a protein marker for neuronal differentiation, was markedly induced by applied herbal extract. Moreover, the nerve growth factor- (NGF-) induced neurite outgrowth in cultured PC12 cells was significantly potentiated by the cotreatment of SBL. In accord, the expression of neurofilament was increased in the treatment of SBL. These results therefore suggested a possible role of SBL by its effect on neuron differentiation and protection against oxidative stress.

Highlights

Traditional Uyghur medicine (TUM), one of the main medicinal systems in central Asia, is based on four humors: fire, air, water, and earth, which generates four different body fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile [1]
According to ancient method of preparations of TUM [2], two methods of Song Bu Li decoction (SBL) preparation are commonly used in Xinjiang: (i) NRR is boiled with water, and the vapor generated is being collected as the volatile components of NRR
According to the ancient method of preparation, two extracts were obtained from NRR extraction: (i) NRR extract without volatile oil, that is, NRR extract; and (ii) NRR plus volatile oil, that is, SBL

Summary

Introduction

Traditional Uyghur medicine (TUM), one of the main medicinal systems in central Asia, is based on four humors: fire, air, water, and earth, which generates four different body fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile [1]. According to the TUM theory, diseases or impairments are resulted from imbalance between the four body fluids. According to ancient method of preparations of TUM [2], two methods of SBL preparation are commonly used in Xinjiang: (i) NRR is boiled with water, and the vapor generated is being collected as the volatile components of NRR. Condensed vapor and extracted water are mixed and (ii) NRR is boiled in water and filtered, and only the water extract is being used for treatment. Both preparation methods of SBL generate a problem of quality control and efficacy

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