Deer Antler Extract Research Articles

Neuroprotective Action of Deer Bone Extract Against Glutamate or Aβ1–42-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mouse Hippocampal Cells

Water extracts of deer bone, called nokgol in Korean, and deer antlers have been traditionally used as anti-aging medicines. Deer antler extract is known to possess various activities, including anti-aging or anti-amnesic activity. However, there are no reports about the neuroprotective effect of deer bone extract (DBE). The objective of this study was to examine the neuroprotective effect of DBE on glutamate-induced cell death of mouse hippocampal cells (HT-22 cells) and to elucidate the mode of neuroprotective action of DBE. In this study, HT-22 cells was pretreated with DBE before stimulation with glutamate, and then, the effects of DBE on cell viability, oxidative stress markers, and MAP kinases were determined. Separately, the effect of DBE on H₂O₂ or amyloid beta peptide (1-42) (Aβ₁₋₄₂)-induced cytotoxicity of HT-22 cells was evaluated. DBE protected HT-22 cells from glutamate-induced cell death and prevented the increase in lactate dehydrogenase leakage in HT-22 cells. DBE also prevented glutamate-induced oxidative stress, as indicated by increased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation as well as by decreases in glutathione (GSH) levels and GSH peroxidase activity. In addition, DBE inhibited glutamate-induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, indicators of oxidative stress-induced cell death. Furthermore, DBE also protected against H₂O₂ and Aβ₁₋₄₂-induced cytotoxicity. These results suggest that DBE may be a useful functional agent for the prevention against neurodegenerative disorders involving oxidative stress.

Deer Antler Extract Improves Fatigue Effect through Altering the Expression of Genes Related to Muscle Strength in Skeletal Muscle of Mice.

Deer antler is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine used in Asian countries for the tonic and the improvement of aging symptoms. The present study was designed to investigate the antifatigue effect and mechanism of Formosan sambar deer tip antler extract (FSDTAE). The swimming times to exhaustion of mice administered FSDTAE (8.2 mg/day) for 28 days were apparently longer than those of the vehicle-treated mice in forced swim test. However, the indicators of fatigue, such as the reduction in glucose level and the increases in blood urea nitrogen and lactic acid levels, were not significantly inhibited by FSDTAE. Therefore, microarray analysis was further used to examine the anti-fatigue mechanism of FSDTAE. We selected genes with fold changes >2 or <−2 in skeletal muscle for pathway analysis. FSDTAE-affected genes were involved in 9 different signaling pathways, such as GnRH signaling pathway and insulin signaling pathway. All of the significantly expressed genes were classified into 8 different categories by their functions. The most enriched category was muscular system, and 6 upregulated genes, such as troponin I, troponin T1, cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2, myosin heavy polypeptide 7, tropomyosin 2, and myomesin family member 3, were responsible for the development and contraction of muscle. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that FSDTAE increased troponins mRNA expression in skeletal muscle. In conclusion, our findings suggested that FSDTAE might increase the muscle strength through the upregulation of genes responsible for muscle contraction and consequently exhibited the anti-fatigue effect in mice.

Aqueous Extract of Red Deer Antler Promotes Hair Growth by Regulating the Hair Cycle and Cell Proliferation in Hair Follicles

Deer antlers are the only mammalian appendage capable of regeneration. We aimed to investigate the effect of red deer antler extract in regulating hair growth, using a mouse model. The backs of male mice were shaved at eight weeks of age. Crude aqueous extracts of deer antler were prepared at either 4°C or 100°C and injected subcutaneously to two separate groups of mice (n = 9) at 1 mL/day for 10 consecutive days, with water as a vehicle control group. The mice skin quantitative hair growth parameters were measured and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine was used to identify label-retaining cells. We found that, in both the 4°C and the 100°C deer antler aqueous extract-injection groups, the anagen phase was extended, while the number of BrdU-incorporated cells was dramatically increased. These results indicate that deer antler aqueous extract promotes hair growth by extending the anagen phase and regulating cell proliferation in the hair follicle region.

Red Deer Antler Extract Accelerates Hair Growth by Stimulating Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor I in Full-thickness Wound Healing Rat Model.

In order to investigate and evaluate the effects of red deer antlers on hair growth in the full-thickness wound healing model, Sprague-Dawley rats were given incision wounds through the full thickness of their dorsal skin and deer antler was applied for 40 days. At specified intervals thereafter (4, 8, 16, 32 and 40 days), the animals were sacrificed and the wound site skins were excised, processed, and sectioned. At post-injury days 16, 32 and 40, longer and more active new hair appeared around the healing wound of antler-treated skin. Histological studies showed that the antler extract markedly increases the depth, size, and number of hair follicles. Expression of IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor) mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR. The result showed that the expression of IGF-I (days 16, 32, and 40) was obviously up-regulated in antler-treated skins compared to control skins. Similar results were seen in the ELISA analysis to quantify the IGF-I expression. These results support the notion that wound healing can cause hair growth by enhancing the expression of IGF-I. Deer antler extract appears to have the potential to promote hair growth and could be used in hair growth products.

Deer (Cervus elaphus) antler extract suppresses adhesion and migration of endometriotic cells and regulates MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDeer antler has been used for centuries as medicine for a wide range of health problems, including various women's diseases. However, there is a safety concern related to its use in hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer and endometriosis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of deer (Cervus elaphus) antler extract (DAE) on adhesion and migration of human endometriotic cells. Materials and methodsAdhesion, wound-healing, and transwell migration assays were performed in endometriotic cells 11Z and 12Z. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. ResultsDAE (50 and 100μg/ml) decreased the adhesion of 11Z and 12Z cells on peritoneal mesothelial Met5-A cells. Wound-healing and transwell migration assays revealed that DAE (50 and 100μg/ml) inhibited migration in 11Z and 12Z cells. It was further demonstrated that treatment with DAE (50 and 100μg/ml) significantly decreased the levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TNF-α, and IL-6. ConclusionsThese results indicate that DAE is a potential anti-endometriotic agent to inhibit the adhesion and migration of endometrial cells through the suppression of various related molecules.

Phenylhydrazine으로 유도한 용혈성 빈혈 흰쥐에 대한 녹용 추출물의 조혈 효과

본 연구는 부위별 녹용 추출물이 PHZ 투여로 용혈성 빈혈을 유도한 흰쥐의 조혈작용에 대한 효과를 검증하고자 하였다. 4주령의 암컷 Sprague-Dawley 흰쥐에 PHZ 10 ㎎/㎏을 4일간 미정맥 주사하여 용혈성 빈혈을 유발한 후 각 부위별 녹용 추출물 200 ㎎/㎏을 일주일간 경구투여 하였다. 용혈성 빈혈 유발군인 PHZ군은 hemoglobin, hematocrit치, 적혈구수가 대조군에 비해 유의적으로 감소하였고, 망상적혈구수는 유의적으로 증가하였다. 반면, 녹용 추출물 군에서는 hemoglobin, hematocrit치, 적혈구수가 PHZ 투여군보다 증가하였다. 특히 분골, 상대, 중대 추출물 투여 시 유의성 있게 증가하였다. 상대 추출물 투여군에서는 망상적혈구수 증가가 유의적으로 억제되었다. PHZ 투여로 증가된 혈청 EPO 함량은 녹용 추출물 투여군에서 모두 정상적으로 회복되었다. Hemoglobin 합성에 관여하는 δ-ALAD 활성은 녹용 추출물 투여군에서 활성이 증가되는 결과를 보여주었다. 따라서 녹용 추출물은 PHZ으로 유도한 용혈성 빈혈에 대한 바람직한 조혈효과가 있는 기능성 물질로 사료된다.

녹용 추출물이 치매 동물모델의 기억력 개선과 관련효소 활성에 미치는 효과

The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorating effects of deer antler extract on the learning and memory impairments induced by the administration of scopolamine (2 ㎎/㎏, i.p.) in rats. Tacrine was used as a positive control agent for evaluating the cognition enhancing activity of deer antler extract in scopolamine- induced amnesia models. The results showed that the deer antler extract-treated group (200 ㎎/㎏, p.o.) and the tacrine-treated group (10 ㎎/㎏, p.o.) significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced amnesia based on the Morris water maze test. Although there was no statistical significance of brain ACh contents among the experimental groups, the brain ACh contents of the deer antler extract-treated group was slightly higher than that of the scopolamine-treated group. The inhibitory effect of deer antler extract on the acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain was significantly lower than that of scopolamine-treated group. The tacrine- and the deer antler-treated groups reduced the MAO-B activity compared to the scopolamine-treated group, but not significantly. These results suggest that the deer antler extract could be an effective agent for the prevention of the cognitive impairment induced by cholinergic dysfunction.

Chloroform extract of deer antler inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption

It has been reported that deer antler extract has anti-bone resorptive activity in vivo. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanism of this effect. In this study, we investigated the effects of deer antler extracts on osteoclast differentiation and bone-resorption in vitro. Chloroform extract (CE-C) of deer antler inhibited osteoclast differentiation in mouse bone marrow cultures stimulated by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). CE-C suppressed the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) and inhibitor of kappa B (I-κB) by RANKL in osteoclast precursor cells. It also inhibited the bone resorptive activity of differentiated osteoclasts that was accompanied by disruption of actin rings and induction of the apoptosis. These results demonstrate deer antler extract may be a useful remedy for the treatment of bone-resorption diseases such as osteoporosis.

A deer antler extract prevents bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis model rats

This study was conducted to examine the effects of a deer antler extract in water (DAE) on bone metabolism. 8 week-old female rats (Sprague-Dawley) were subjected to establish the postmenopausal osteoporosis model by feeding a low calcium diet for 4 weeks after ovariectomy operation. The model rats were divided into 4 groups (n=32); Control, without DAE DAE 2.5, treated with 2.5% (wt/wt) DAE 5.0, treated with 5% (wt/wt) Est, treated with 17β-estradiol (10μg/kg BW). The rats were fed basal diet (AIN-93M) or experimental diets containing two levels of DAE for 6 weeks. Serum, femur and urine samples were collected. Weight gain was not affected by DAE supplementations. Femur weight and mineral contents (Ca, Mg) were significantly increased both by DAE supplementations and estrogen treatment compared to control. Serum estradiol levels were significantly elevated in DAE-fed groups than in the control group. In both DAE-fed and Est-treated groups, urinary hydroxyproline (OHPr) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) excretion were significantly decreased in contrast to control group. Also serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased both by DAE supplementations and Est treatment, suggesting that bone-sparing effect could be partly attributed to the modulation of osteoclastogenesis induced by IL-6. These results indicate that a DAE has beneficial effects on estrogen-dependent bone loss and can be considered as an alternative functional substance for estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE ACTIVITY OF DEER ANTLER EXTRACTS OF CERVUS KOREAN TEMMINCK VAR. MANTCHURICUS SWINHOE, ON TYPE II COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS

Unossified horn or pilose antler cut from deer, which belong to the Cervidae generally is termed Nokyong. Nokyong is one of the most famous Korean traditional medicines and has been considered to possess sexual-reinforcing and antiaging actions. In this study, water extract of deer antler extract (DAA) prepared from the growing antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe was used to investigate the efficacy of the DAA on the development of type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. Male rats were immunized with an emulsion of 200 microg of CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The rats then were administered by injection a suspension of DAA or phosphate-buffered saline. The effect of DAA on cellular responses to CII was examined. The injection of DAA suppressed the CII-specific secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma from splenocytes ex vivo. The influence of DAA also was evaluated on the incidence and development of arthritis in rat CIA. Rats were immunized twice at a 3-wk interval with bovine CII, with DAA being given by injection once a d for 14 d with four different regimens. A 14-d course of DAA treatment at a daily dose of 100 microg/kg, which began on the d of the first CII immunization, suppressed the development of arthritis, as well as antibody formation and delayed-type hypersensitivity to CII. Treatment with DAA resulted in inhibition of development of arthritis and immune responses to CII.

Lysophosphatidylcholine derived from deer antler extract suppresses hyphal transition in Candida albicans through MAP kinase pathway

A family of 2-lysophosphatidylcholines (lyso-PCs) was isolated from deer antler extract, guided exclusively by hyphal transition inhibitory activity in Candida albicans. Structural determination of the isolated lyso-PCs by spectroscopic methods, including infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, 2D correlation spectroscopy NMR, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, confirmed that the natural products were composed of at least four different lyso-PCs varying in fatty acid moiety at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone. The major lyso-PCs were confirmed as 1-stearoyl-, 1-oleoyl-, 1-linoleoyl- and 1-palmitoyl-2-lyso- sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholines. Lyso-PC specifically suppressed the morphogenic transition from yeast to hyphae in C. albicans, without affecting the growth of either yeast or hyphae. Lyso-PC exerted hyphal transition that suppressed activity in the broad spectrum of the Candida species, such as C. albicans, Candida krusei, Candida guilliermondii and Candida parapsilosis. Northern analysis indicated that the suppression was mediated through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Effects of repeated administration of deer antler extract on biochemical changes related to aging in senescence-accelerated mice.

Several biochemical parameters related to aging were evaluated after a hot-water extract prepared from unossified pilose antler of Cervus nippon TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Rokujo) had been administered orally for 8 successive days to senescence-accelerated mice (SAM), a novel murine model of spontaneously promoted aging. It was found that the repeated oral administration of Rokujo had significant restoring effects on the physiological degenerations which were associated with the development of senile symptoms. These effects included (1) an increase in the plasma testosterone level in male mice; (2) a decrease in the contents of malondialdehyde in the liver and brain; (3) an increase in the liver protein contents; (4) an increase in the liver superoxide dismutase activity; and (5) a decrease in the activity of monoamine oxidase B in the liver and brain membranes. Most of these effects were selectively observed in the senile-prone strain of SAM (SAM-P) as compared to the normal, resistant strain (SAM-R). The present data suggest that Rokujo may exert an anti-aging action in male senile animals.

Stimulating effect of deer antler extract on protein synthesis in senescence-accelerated mice in vivo.

The effects of subchronic administration of Rokujo (Cervus nippon TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe) extract on protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) syntheses in vivo were investigated in male senescence-accelerated mice (SAM). At 20 min after intraperioneal injection of amino acid and nucleosides labeled with radioisotpes, the incorporation of [14C]leucine into the serum protein was increased in the Rokujo-treated mice, in a parallel manner to the elevation of the serum protein content. Increased incorporation of [14C]uridine into RNA as well as that of [14C]leucine into protein was found in the liver and kidney of the Rokujo-treated mice. Further experiments revealed that although a brief exposure to Rokujo extract in vitro did not directly affect the RNA polymerase activity, the activity of RNA polymerase II in solubilized liver nuclei of Rokujo-treated mice was markedly accelerated. These results suggest that enhancement of RNA polymerase II activity induced by long-term Rokujo treatment is responsible for the increase in protein synthesis in vivo in SAM.