Planta Med 2006; 72 - P_097
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949897

Neuroprotective effect of methanol extract of Smilacis chinae rhizome on NMDA-induced neurotoxicity and cerebral ischemia in rats

YH Seonga 1, JY Bana 1, KS Songb 1
  • 1College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Herbal Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361–763,South Korea
  • 2College of Agriculture and Life-Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 702–701, South Korea

Smilax has various pharmacological effects including antiiflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant activity. We previously reported that Smilacis chinae rhizome from Smilax china L. (Liliaceae) inhibits amyloid β protein (25–35)-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cortical neurons [1]. The present study aims to investigate the effect of the methanol extract of Smilacis chinae rhizome (SCR) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cortical neurons. CSR, over a concentration range of 5 to 50µg/mL, inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced neuronal cell death, which was measured by a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Pretreatment of CSR (50µg/mL) inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c), which was measured by a fluorescent dye, Fluo 4-AM, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, in middle cerebral artery occlusion model in male SD rats, SCR (30 and 50mg/kg) potentially reduced the transient ischemia-induced cerebral infarct volume. These neuroprotective effects of SCR were mimicked by MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist. These findings suggest that SCR has a possible therapeutic role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

Acknowledgements: This work was supported by a grant from BioGreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

Reference: 1. Ban, J.Y., Cho, S.O. et al. (2006), J. Ethnopharmacol. 106: 230–237.