Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-ecotoxic potential of a 116 kDa glycoprotein isolated from UDN (UDN glycoprotein) in human intestinal epithelial INT-407 cells. We demonstrated that UDN glycoprotein (20 μg/mL) could inhibit the production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) induced by toluene, an ecotoxic substance. Additionally, we found that the toluene-induced intestinal cytotoxicity was mediated by the phosphorylation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) via the production of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The UDN glycoprotein significantly decreased the levels of ROS production and p38 MAPK activation in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Moreover, the UDN glycoprotein inhibits the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which is responsible for the production of LDH, in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Collectively, our data indicate that UDN glycoprotein is a natural antioxidant and a modulator of ecotoxicity signaling pathways in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Curcumin (C21H20O6) is a hydrophobic polyphenol found in turmeric. Although curcumin has been used as a natural medicine, its major limitation is related to poor absorption from the gut. Therefore, we developed a method for preparation of Curcumin Nanospheres (CN) to improve the aqueous-phase solubility of curcumin and investigate the functional role of CN in promoting feed efficiency and odor reduction in mice. CN showed inhibitory effects on actate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity induced by ecotoxic substance toluene in gut epithelial HCT116 cells. In addition, the weights of internal organs (liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen) and the levels of serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT), Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT), and LDH did not show significant differences between mice administered oral CN for two weeks and compared to the control group. Interestingly, CN not only reduced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) levels and fecal odor, but also improved feed efficiency in mice. These results demonstrate that oral nano-delivery of anti-ecotoxicological CN is a functional system to deliver curcumin to the gut to improve feed efficiency and reduce fecal odor in mice.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) has been utilized as a traditional medicine in Asia. However, the development of varieties is limited and the climate is changing gradually. Therefore, it is required to develop a superior lineage suitable for this. So we have secured several species, and it is necessary to confirm the cytotoxicity of various kinds of cells for its safety and to secure safety for further utilization. Methods and Results : 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were collected from Rural Development Administration (RDA) at Eumseong of Chungcheongbuk-do and national farmhouse. They were cultivated in test-research farm in RDA and used as materials. Human (THP-1 cell, human leukemia monocytic cell line) and rodent-derived immune cells (RAW264.7, murine monocyte/macrophage cell line) and hepatocytes (HepG2, human liver cell line) were used to assess cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity was determined by using MTT assay. As a result of evaluation of cytoxicity, 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were not shown cytotoxicity range from 250 - 1,000 ㎍/㎖ concentration in THP-1 cell, RAW264.7 cell and HepG2 cell. Conclusion : Development of RG with superior lineage suitable for changing climate is required. We selected a good lineage (21 ea), and result of the cytotoxicity evaluation from low to high concentrations in immune- and liver-derived cells, there was no toxicity at all. Therefore, if these excellent lineages are distributed to farmers, they can help farmers. And it can help research on immunity and liver function in the future.

Background : As a part of ongoing research to elucidate and characterize anti-cancer nutraceuticals, extracts from many kinds of medicinal plants were tested for their ability to cytotoxicity on cancer cells so far. Datura stramonium is one of the plants known to contain various alkaloids such as hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine etc. Traditionally, it has been used as an analgesic, antispasmodic, and central nervous stimulant. Leaves are also known to be effective against asthma, cough, and chronic bronchitis. In this study, cytotoxicity of extracts from D. stramonium on human cancer cell lines A549 (lung), and HepG2 (liver) were evaluated and compared. Methods and Results : The extract was diluted with DMSO in the form of 10, 50, 250, 1,000 μg/ml for final concentration series respectively. The cell viabilities were examined by MTT assay. On HepG2 cell line, extracts of D. stramonium showed dramatic dose-dependent cytotoxicity on 10, 50, 250, 1,000 ㎍/㎖ concentrations series as 88.16%, 78.55%, 55.57%, 23.06% cell viability respectively. On A549 cell line, likewise, same concentration series showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect as 96.49%, 96.12%, 68.54%, 20.26% cell viability respectively. On A549 cell line, there was no difference in effect between 10 ㎍/㎖ and 50 ㎍/㎖. Conclusion : Above results, high concentrations of extracts are effective on two cancer cell lines. These results are expected to be used on further studies about the anticancer activity of D. stramonium as basic data. In order to confirm the anticancer effect of D. stramonium, it is anticipated that additional tests will be required to confirm the apoptosis assay and related protein expression.

Background : Pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extract (GS-E3D) is a newly developed ginsenoside Rd-enriched ginseng extract. This study was designed to investigate the acute oral and dermal toxicity of GS-E3D in rat. Methods and Results : The acute oral toxic effects of GS-E3D in female SD rats were examined at dosages of 300 ㎎/㎏ and 2,000 ㎎/㎏. In acute dermal toxicity study, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 ㎎/㎏ of GS-E3D were applied onto the shaved skin of male and female SD rats. The weights of rats were recorded at 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days and clinical observation were checked once a day for a period of 14 days. All rats were scarified on 14th day and complete gross examination was conducted to detect any gross change of organs after necropsy. GS-E3D did not produce orally or dermally treatment-related clinical signs of toxicity or mortality in all rats during the 14-day observation period. The oral and dermal LD50 values of GS-E3D were over 2,000 ㎎/㎏ in rat. The oral and dermal administration of GS-E3D revealed no significant change in body weight and gross pathology examination compared to control group. Conclusion : These results indicate that GS-E3D can be used as a food and cosmetic materials without critically adverse effect.

Background : The 1,2-unsaturated PAs, reported to be widely present in medicinal plants belonging to Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae, cause hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity in humans and animals. Hence, there is a need for an analytical method that allows these dangerous plant toxins to be determined. In this study, we developed a method that can be used for the rapid and accurate determination of nine toxic PAs in medicinal plants using ultra-pressure liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–quadrupole–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF). Methods and Results : The compounds were eluted onto a C18 column with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile, and separated with good resolution within 11 min. all analytes was characterized by its precursor ions generated by ESI-Q-TOF and fragment ions produced by collision-induced dissociation (CID), which were used as a reliable database. The proposed analytical method was verified with reference to the ICH guidelines. The proposed UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF method was applied to four medicinal plants, and lycopsamin, echimidine, senkirkine and senecionine were detected by matching with reference standard, and additional six PAs were tentatively identified though chemical profiling. In addition, the QuEchERS method was the most efficient in comparison with methods like hot water and methanol in extraction efficiency of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Conclusion : The our proposed method can determine PAs rapidly and accurately in medicinal plants and will be utilize as an important data for other researchers who need analytical information of PAs.

This study investigated both leaching of heavy metals and ecological toxicity when coal bottom ash (CBA) generated by power plants has been used to reduce both erosion and turbidity of surface runoff at construction sites. The Korean leaching test (KLT) method, sequential extraction method, and acute toxicity test using Daphnia magna were performed to evaluate the environmental impacts and the ecological risks of CBA. According to the results of the KLT method of CBA, trace amounts of Cu were leached at limit of quantitation whereas metal leaching was not monitored for other heavy metals. Through the sequential extraction method of CBA, the relatively high leaching potential was found for As and Pb due to greater fraction of exchangeable (F1) and bound to carbonates (F2), and reasonable probability of leaching under the reducing/anaerobic environment was expected for Cu due to high faction of bound to Fe?Mn oxides (F3). However, significantly low probability of leaching was expected for Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn with grater fractions of bound to organic matter (F4) and residual (F5). Additionally, total amount of heavy metals in CBA was lower than criteria for soil pollution concerns, and were similar or slightly lower levels than the ‘15 National soil average concentration excluding Cr6+. Finally, acute toxicity test using Daphnia magna display no impact for mobilization and lethality in either the prefiltration or post-filtration experiment, indicating that the ecological toxicity was insignificant with zero values of toxic unit. Consequently, no environmental impacts or ecological toxicity are expected when CBA generated by power plants has been used to reduce both erosion and turbidity of surface runoff at construction sites.

화장품에 방부제(살균/보존제)로 사용되는 1, 2-hexanediol (HD)로 인한 부작용을 극복하기 위하여, Escherichia coli (E. coli)의 β-galactosidase (β-gal)를 이용하여 transgalactosylation 반응으로 1, 2-hexanediol galactoside (HD-Gal)를 합성하였다. 본 연구에서는 합성된 HD-Gal의 인간 피부세포에 대한 독성이 어느 정도인지를 HD와 비교하여 관찰하였다. HD-Gal과 HD의 세포독성은 인간 피부각질형성세포 (HaCaT cell line)에 HD와 HD-Gal을 처리한 후, cell proliferation assay를 이용하여 비교 분석하였다. 또한 이때, 위상차 현미경으로 HD-Gal과 HD로 처리한 세포의 상태를 비교 관찰하였다. 그 결과, HD-Gal은 42.2 mM에서 211 mM의 농도 범위에서 세포독성이 관찰되지 않았으며, 현미경 관찰에서도 큰 변화를 관찰할 수 없었다. 그러나, HD의 경우에는 저농도에서(42.2 mM and 84.4 mM)는 세포독성이 관찰되지 않았으나, 고농도 (168.8 and 211 mM)에서 매우 높은 세포독성을 나타내었고, 현미경 관찰에서는 고농도에서는 물론이고, 세포 독성이 관찰되지 않은 HD의 저농도에서도 세포모양과 세포 수에서의 변화가 관찰되었다. 앞으로 세포독성이 감소된 HD-Gal이 HD의 대체제로서 안전, 건강 및 웰빙 개념의 새로운 용도로 개발될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

폐기물관리법 개정(시행 ’16.7.21)으로 폐기물의 재활용방식이 포지티브(허용행위 열거방식)에서 네거티브(제한행위 열거방식)로 전환됨에 따라 재활용대상 폐기물의 재활용 가능여부를 판단하기 위해 재활용환경성평가 제도를 도입하였다. 이에따라, 2018년 1월 1일부터 재활용환경성평가 제도 중 매체접촉형으로 사용되는 폐기물은 새로운 재활용 유형인 경우이거나 기존 재활용유형 12만 톤 이상 또는 3만 제곱미터 이상의 규모의 경우 유해특성항목의 생태독성항목을 적용하도록 되어있다. 생태독성시험의 시행은 화학시험의 평가와는 달리 환경영향에 대한 부분을 종합적으로 평가할 수 있을 것이다. 현재 재활용환경성평가에서의 물벼룩을 이용한 급성독성(생태독성) 기준은 ｢폐기물 유해특성의 성질 및 해당 기준｣에 TU 2.0을 초과하지 않도록 설정되어 있다. 그러나, 현재 재활용환경성평가의 생태독성의 경우 상향류 투수방식의 유출시험(컬럼시험)을 통하여, 고상시료를 액상시료로 변환시키는 시험방법을 사용하고 있다. 폐기물의 종류에 따라 생태독성시험 적용을 위해 pH 조정이 필요한 경우가 발생하여, 전처리 과정을 통하여 중화시킨 후 독성 분석을 실시하였다. 이에 본 연구는 매체접촉형 재활용에 이용되었던 석탄재, 폐석재, 폐토사 등을 대상으로 컬럼시험을 통해 얻은 유출액을 생태독성시험에 적용하여 재활용환경성평가의 생태독성항목에 대한 시험방법을 마련하고, 독성기준의 만족여부를 조사하였다.

Background: Cassia tora L., an annual or perennial plant of the Fabaceae family, is traditional medicine with various biological activities, including anti-constipation and, anti-inflammation. Chemical compounds such as anthraquinone glycoside and naphthalene derivatives have been isolated from this plant. Cassia tora L. is a common contaminant of agricultural commodities, but is toxic to cattle and poultry. Methods and Results: To investigate the potential toxicity, Cassia tora L. aqueous extract (CO) was administered orally to rats for 26 weeks at 0 (control), 300, 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day (n = 10 for male rats for each dose). The positive control comprised animals orally administered anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. There was no treatment-related mortality. An increase in the kidney weight was observed at 3,000㎎/㎏/day of CO and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. Macrophage infiltration in the colon was observed at CO 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day, but there were no significant toxicological changes in the incidence and severity of the finding. Conclusions: The oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of CO was 3,000㎎/㎏/day in male rats and no target organs were identified. In addition, 300㎎/㎏ was found to be the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for systemic toxicity under the conditions of the study.

As a part of an infrastructure project on medicinal herb-based remedies, we conducted a phytohemical investigation of the 100% MeOH extract from the aerial part of Boehmeria quelpaertense; our findings resulted in the isolation of flavonoids (1-2), isoquercitrin (1) and hyperoside (2). The identification and structural elucidation of these compounds were based on 1H-,13C-NMR, and LC ESI IT-TOF MS data. All the compounds isolated from this plant were reported for the first time. In this study, we examined the antioxidant activity of the 1 and 2 on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in a Rat Cardiomyoblast cell line (H9c2). The pretreatment of the flavonoids showed that it protects against H2O2-mediated cell death in the H9c2 cell line. Also, it decreases the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by the flavonoids in the H2O2-treated H9c2 cell line. These results showed that the 1 and 2 are a source of antioxidants. As a result, they might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stress mediated diseases, including myocardial infarction.

In this study, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, antimicrobial effects, growth inhibition and cytotoxicity of herb extracts were determined to screen alternative antibiotics. Hot water extracts of 10 species herbs (Origanum vulgare, Monarda didyma, Echinacea purpurea, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha piperita, Melissa officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Stevia rebaudiana, Rosmarinus officinalis, Matricaria recutica) were used. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of all herb extracts was ranged from 31.4-49.9%, and significantly great activties were found at Rosmarinus officinalis, Origanum vulgare and Matricaria recutica (P<0.05). Hot water extracts of monarda didyma, origanum vulgare, thymus vulgaris and rosmarinus officinalis showed greater antimicrobial activities compared to others. Additionally, those four extracts represented relatively low cytotoxicity compared to others. As a result, it was found that Origanum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis which possessed great antioxidant and antimicrobial activity with less cytotoxicity. So these two herb extracts can be used as an alternative of antibiotics for organic farming.

Background: Hair loss related syndromes are increasing due to environmental pollution and stress. Hair care products are mainly prepared by mixing chemicals and natural extracts, such as those obtained from medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 70% ethanol extracts from the flowers of Calendula officinalis, fruit body of Phellinus linteus, and the whole plant of Houttuynia cordata on the growth of CCD-986 cells, hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC), and 3T3-L1 cells. Methods and Results: All sample extracts at all concentrations, except for that from P. linteus fruit body at 500㎍/㎖, were cytotoxic to CCD-986 cells. However, none of the sample extracts were cytotoxic to HFDPC. The lipid differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells regulates hair regeneration via secretion of platelet derived growth factor. The 70% ethanol extract of H. cordata whole plant promoted hair growth. Adipogenesis rate significantly increased in a treatment concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: These results suggest that 70% ethanol extracts of C. officinalis flower, P. linteus fruit body and H. cordata could be used for the development of hair care products.

석탄과 철광석은 산업발달의 시작부터 현재까지 지속적으로 사용되고 있다. 이에 따라 수반된 석탄 및 철광석 정제산업의 발달은 석탄철광폐수의 양적 증가를 초래하여 그 처리가 많은 관심 속에 활발하게 연구되고 있다. 석탄철광폐수는 페놀, 시안과 같은 독성 물질 뿐 만 아니라 혐기성미생물과 경쟁관계에 있는 황산염환원균활성증가를 초래하는 SO42-를 고농도로 함유한다. 이 석탄철광폐수의 처리법으로는 물리적, 화학적, 생물학적 처리가 다양하게 연구되어왔는데, 고농도의 폐수처리에 익히 알려진 혐기성미생물을 이용한 석탄철광폐수의 처리는 경제성과 재생에너지 측면에서 최근 큰 관심을 받고 있다. 하지만 폐수에 함유된 페놀, 시안, 등과 같은 독성물질이 생물학적 처리에 심각한 저해를 초래할 수 있어 문제로 지적되고 있으나 그 독성에 대한 현재까지의 연구는 미진한 형편이다. 이에 본 연구는 입상 혐기성미생물이 석탄철광폐수 소화 시 받게 되는 급성독성에 대하여 실험적 고찰을 진행하고 그 적응 방안을 연구하였다. 석탄철광폐수는 석탄철광정제의 완료시점에 실폐수 샘플을 채취하여 사용하였다. 폐수특성 분석결과 pH 7, 페놀 589±23 mg/L, 시안 49 mg/L, 암모니아성질소 39±9 mg/L, SO4-2는 735 mg/L이며 화학적 산소요구량은 3.9 g/L으로 나타났다. 석탄철광폐수에 대한 물벼룩 급성독성시험 결과 TU가 28로 매우 높게 측정되었다. 이 폐수에 UASB의 입상슬러지를 이용하여 혐기성소화를 수행하였다. 약 20일간 유기물 부하 0.6 g COD/L/day에서 초기 적응을 수행하였고, 혐기성소화조의 정상상태에서 COD 제거율은 98%, 메탄수율은 약 80 mL CH4/g COD로 나타났다. 이 혐기성소화조가 석탄철광폐수 유기물부하 0.76 g COD/L/day에 노출 되었을 경우 미생물의 활성을 모니터링한 결과, 폐수유입 즉시 메탄가스발생이 80% 이상 감소되는 강한 독성이 감지되었으며 COD 제거효율은 점차 감소하여 약 20일 후 10%로 낮아졌다. 유출수 내 페놀은 약 210 mg/L로 제거율 60%을 나타났지만 시안은 106 mg/L로 분해되지 않고 축적되어 유입 대비 2배가량 증가하였다. SO4-2 는 2000 mg/L로 급격하게 농도가 증가한 후 약 20일 후 1000 mg/L 이하로 감소하였다. 이로보아 석탄철광폐수 내 시안과 황화합물로 인하여 혐기성미생물 내의 메탄균의 저해가 이루어짐을 짐작할 수 있다. VFA 분석결과는 산발효균과 메탄발효균의 공생관계가 파괴되었음을 보여주었다. 더불어 높은 SO4-2 농도는 황산염환원균과의 경쟁이 유도될 수 있는 농도로 밝혀졌다. 이러한 석탄철광폐수의 급성독성은 고농도의 독성물질 제거를 위한 전처리 혹은 혐기성미생물의 적응기간이 필요함을 나타내었으며, 후자를 선택하여 약 30일 간 단계적인 미생물의 독성적응절차를 거친 결과 급성독성을 극복하고 유기물 및 페놀 분해가 점진적으로 가능함을 확인 하였다.

Background: Cisplatin is one of the most extensively used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer, including bladder, and ovarian cancers. However, it has been shown to induce nephrotoxicity, despite being an outstanding anti-cancer drug. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of dopaol β-D-glucoside (dopaol) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods and Results: To confirm the protective effect of dopaol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, HK-2 cells were treated with 20 μM cisplatin and 80 μM dopaol. Cisplatin increased apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial dysfunction; however pretreatment with 80 μM dopaol successfully attenuated apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial dysfunction. To evaluate the protective effect dopaol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo, we used an animal model (balb/c mice, 20 ㎎/㎏, i.p. once/day for 3 day). The results were similar to those obtained using HK-2 cells; renal tubular damage and neutrophilia induced by cisplatin reduced following dopaol injection (10 ㎎/㎏, i.p. once/day for 3 day). Conclusions: These results indicate that dopaol treatment reduced cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, and can be used to treat cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. However, further studies are required to determine the toxicity high dose dopaol and the signal pathways involved in its mechanism of action in animal models.

Background : This study was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity in 9 extracts from 8 medicinal plants, such as leaf extract of Lonicera maackii (Llm), leaf extract of Platycarya strobilacea (Lps), flower extract of Fagopyrum dibortryis (Fdf), stem extract of Physostegia virginiana (Spv), root extract of Allium senescence (Ras), aerial part extract of Allium schoenoprasum (Aas), aerial part extract of Artemisia japonica var. manshurica (Aaj), stem extract of Caryopteris incana (Sci), and leaf extract of Caryopteris incana (Lci), on human cancer cell lines. Methods and Results : Dried plant extracts were granted from National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Sciences. The extracts of each plant were dissolved in DMSO and stored in deep freeze at –20℃. The cell viabilities were examined by MTT assay. On SK-OV-3 cell line, Lps, Aas, Sci ans Lci showed dose-dependent cytotoxic effect. On A549 cell line, almost samples show dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, but especially Aaj showed relatively high cytotoxic effect. In case of HCT-15 cell line, Llm and Aas showed relatively high cytotoxic effect. Conclusion : These results suggested that Lonicera maackii, Platycarya strobilacea, Fagopyrum dibortryis, Physostegia virginiana, Allium senescence, Allium schoenoprasum, Artemisia japonica var. manshurica, and Caryopteris incana can be utilized as potential sources of anticancer agent due to their cytotoxicity.

Background : Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and extracellular senile plaque, whose major constituent is β-amyloid (Aβ), a 39-43 amino acid peptide derived from amyloid precursor protein. In cultures, Aβ directly induce neuronal cell death and can include excessive generation of free radicals and peroxidative injury to proteins, lipids, and other macromolecules. Actinidia arguta, generally called hardy kiwifruit, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antioxidative properties. The present study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of the leaves and stems of A. arguta using in vitro cultured neurons and in vivo experimental animals. Methods and Results : Primary cortical neuronal cultures were prepared using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat fetuses on embryonic days 15. Neurotoxicity experiments were performed on neurons after 3-4 days in culture. Cultured neurons were treated with 10 μM Aβ (25-35) for 24 h to produce neurotoxicity. In addition, cultured neurons were treated with H2O2 (100 μM) for 15 min and then incubated for 12 h in H2O2-free medium. Viability of cultured neurons was measured by a colorimetric MTT assay. Hoechst 33342 staining of neurons was carried out to examine Aβ (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal death. A. arguta over the concentration of 10 to 50 ㎍/㎖ prevented Aβ (25-35) (10 μM)-induced apoptotic neuronal death, and inhibited H2O2-induced decrease of MTT reduction rate. These results suggest that oxidative stress is implicated in Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal apoptotic death. Memory impairment was produced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) microinjection of 15 nmol Aß (25-35) and examined using passive avoidance test in ICR mice. Chronic treatments with A. arguta (14 days, p.o.) protected memory impairment induced by Aß (25-35). Conclusion : The present study suggests that A. arguta has a therapeutic role for preventing the progression of neurodegenerative disease such as AD.

Background : It is well known that Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is associated with neuronal loss and accumulation of extracellular senile plaque, whose major constituent is β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). In cell cultures, Aβ can directly stimulate neuronal cell death and make neurons susceptible to excitotoxicity which may include glutamate release and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. There are numerous reports in the literature of Cedrela sinensis (CS) for pro-apoptotic effects. It was hypothesized that CS might protect neurons against neurodegeneration in AD due to its pro-apoptotic effects. The current study aimed to determine the protective effect of ethanol extract from the leave of CS on Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. Methods and Results : Cerebral neurons were collected from embryonic day 15 SD rat fetuses and were cultured on DMEM with serum. Neurotoxicity experiments were proceeded on cultured neurons after 4-5 days in vitro. Cultured neurons were treated with 10 μM Aβ (25-35) for 24 h or 1 mM NMDA for 20 h to induce neuronal death. CS was applied 20 min before the treatment with Aβ (25-35) or NMDA and also present in the medium during the incubations. Colorimetric MTT assay and Hoechst 33342 staining were used to estimate viability of neurons. Western blot analysis was carried out to examine the expression levels of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins. CS (5 and 10 ㎍/㎖) significantly inhibited Aβ (25-35)-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in cultured cortical neurons. CS also inhibited Aβ (25-35)-induced change of apoptosis-related protein expression in western blot analysis. Furthermore CS (5 and 10 ㎍/㎖) reuduced NMDA-induced neuronal cell death. This study demonstrated that NMDA glutamate receptor activation is related with Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal apoptotic death. Conclusion : CS protected culterd neurons against Aβ (25-35)-induced neurotoxicity probably via inhibition of NMDA receptor activation. These results suggest that CS can prevent the progression of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.