Inhibitory effect of Artemisia asiatica alkaloids on acetylcholinesterase activity from rat PC12 cells

We screened 42 Korean traditional tea plants to determine the inhibitory effect of acetylcholinesterase and attenuation of toxicity induced by amyloid-beta peptide, which were related to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The methanolic extract from Artemisia asiatica among tested 42 tea plants, showed the highest inhibitory effect (48%) on acetylcholinesterase in vitro. The methanolic extract was further separated with n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate of water, in order. The chloroform solubles, which were high in inhibitory effect of acetylcholinesterase, were repeatedly subjected to open column chromatography on silica gel. From the highest inhibitory fraction (78%) on acetylcholinesterase, the single compound was obtained by the Sep-Pak Cartridge (C18: reverse phase column). This compound was found to react positively on Dragendorff's reagent (potassium bismuth iodide), which typically reacted with the alkaloid. This compound was purified by HPLC (mu-bondapack C18 reverse phase column: 3.9 x 150 mm). The IC50 (the concentration of 50% enzyme inhibition) value of this compound was 23 micrograms/ml and the inhibitory pattern on acetylcholinesterase was mixed with competitive/non-competitive type. We examined the effects of this compound on toxicity induced by A beta (25-35) in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Pretreatment of the PC12 cells for 2 h with an alkaloid of Artemisia asiatica (1200 microg/ml) reduced the toxicity induced by A beta. This study demonstrated that an alkaloid of Artemisia asiatica, which was metabolized to small molecule in digestive tract and then could pass through the blood-brain barrier, appeared to be an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with a blocker of neurotoxicity induced by A beta in human brain causing Alzheimer's disease.     

雷公藤内酯醇对 PC12细胞增殖的抑制作用及机制初探

目的:研究雷公藤内酯醇(triptolide)对PC12细胞增殖的影响及其作用的机制,为其在临床上治疗肿瘤提供实验依据.方法:利用形态学观察、四甲基偶氮唑(MTT)比色分析、流式细胞术和逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RTPCR)检测雷公藤内酯醇对体外培养的嗜铬细胞瘤细胞(PC12 cell)增殖的影响.结果:雷公藤内酯醇(5×103、25×103 g/L)与PC12细胞作用24 h、48 h或72 h均可抑制PC12细胞的增殖,并且这种抑制作用可随着雷公藤内酯醇浓度的增加而增强.但低浓度的雷公藤内酯醇(1×103g/L)对PC12细胞增殖无明显影响.5×103 g/L雷公藤内酯醇与PC12细胞作用24 h后,可使细胞周期中的G0～G1期比例增加,S期比例下降.PC12细胞与雷公藤内酯醇作用后,细胞的翻译延伸因子2A3-2的表达减弱,而且作用48 h与作用24 h相比,2A3-2的表达减弱更为明显.结论:雷公藤内酯醇可抑制PC12细胞的增殖,该抑制可能是通过改变2A3-2基因的表达从而阻止细胞的G0～G1期向S期过渡来实现的.     

Inhibitory effect of the kinase inhibitor chelerythrine on acetylcholine-induced current in PC12 cells.

In order to analyze the effect of protein kinase C(PKC) on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells by the whole-cell clamp technique, chelerythrine, a well-known inhibitor of PKC, was used to investigate the influence of PKC on acetylcholine (ACh)-induced current. When cells were preincubated with chelerythrine (0.1-10 microM) for 5 min, an inhibitory effect of chelerythrine on the peak of ACh-induced current was found. This effect was concentration-dependent, voltage-independent, and time-dependent within 1-6 min and reversible. However, intracellular dialysis with 0.1-5 microM PKCI 19-31, a specific pseudosubstrate PKC inhibitor, did not affect the inhibitory effect of chelerythrine. These results suggest that chelerythrine has an inhibitory effect on ACh-induced current in PC12 cells and that this effect is independent of its inhibition on PKC, may represent a new pharmacological effect of chelerythrine, and is mediated by an alternative mechanism.     

Inhibitory effect of rhetsinine isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa on aldose reductase activity

Aldose reductase inhibitors have considerable potential for the treatment of diabetic complications, without increased risk of hypoglycemia. Search for components inhibiting aldose reductase led to the discovery of active compounds contained in Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham (Rutaceae), which is the one of the component of Kampo-herbal medicine. The hot water extract from the E. rutaecarpa was subjected to distribution or gel filtration chromatography to give an active compound, N2-(2-methylaminobenzoyl)tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-one (rhetsinine). It inhibited aldose reductase with IC₅₀ values of 24.1 μM. Furthermore, rhetsinine inhibited sorbitol accumulation by 79.3% at 100 μM. These results suggested that the E. rutaecarpa derived component, rhetsinine, would be potentially useful in the treatment of diabetic complications.     

Inhibitory effect of verapamil on the acetylcholinesterase activity of skeletal muscle sarcolemma

It has been found that verapamil reversibly inhibits "in vitro" the activity of membrane--bound and solubilized sarcolemmal acetylcholinesterase. The kinetic analysis has demonstrated a competitive type of inhibition at verapamil concentrations less than 100 mkM and a mixed one at higher verapamil concentrations. The apparent Ki values are similar to or approximately 5,0.10(-5) M and similar to or approximately 3,0.10(-4) M for both types of inhibition, respectively. The effect of vereapamil and Ca2+ on acetylcholinesterase is independent and non-competitive. An increase in the ionic strength leads to a decrease of the verapamil-induced inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. It is suggested that verapamil interacts with the anionic groups of both free and acylated enzyme.     

Inhibitory effect of asiatic acid on acetylcholinesterase, excitatory post synaptic potential and locomotor activity

The asiatic acid, a triterpenoids isolated from Centella asiatica was used to delineate its inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) properties, excitatory post synaptic potential (EPSP) and locomotor activity. This study is consistent with asiatic acid having an effect on AChE, a selective GABA(B) receptor agonist and no sedative effect on locomotor.     

Alkylphenolic compounds and their effect on the injury rate, survival and acetylcholinesterase activity of the rat neuronal cell line PC12

Most studies on hormonally active agents or endocrine disruptors have been limited to polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins. In this paper, we report results of in vitro studies on the effects of alkylphenolic compounds, namely, n-pentylphenol, n-hexylphenol, n-heptylphenol, n-octylphenol, and n-nonylphenol, on the injury rate, survival, and acetylcholinesterase activity of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12. Results using the lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay to determine cell injury rate reveal that the alkylphenols mentioned did not induce cell necrosis beyond 30%, even at concentrations as high as 300 μM in a 15-min incubation period. Exposing the cells to alkylphenols for 4 hr and testing for DNA fragmentation showed that nonylphenol and octylphenol also did not induce apoptosis, even at concentrations as high as 500 and 100 μM, respectively. However, incubating the cells with the alkylphenols for 24 hr significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity at concentrations as low as 0.8 μM, with n-octylphenol showing the most significant effect Since it is believed that human exposure to nonylphenol from drinking water is around 0.7 μg day^-1 and that these compounds can accumulate in adipose tissue, this finding may implicate alkylphenols in neurological and behavioral disturbances in both animals and humans. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diverse effect of tributyltin on apoptosis in PC12 cells

It has not been fully elucidated how endocrine-disrupting chemicals disrupt hormone functions or how strong their effects are compared with natural hormones. There is little information concerning the effects of tributyltin (TBT), one of the endocrine disrupters on living organisms. Although TBT at high concentration induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, TBT at low concentration inhibited the DNA fragmentation in the cells cultured in serum-free medium or in medium containing 6-hydroxydopamine. The cell viability grown in both medium conditions increased after treatment with TBT. These findings suggest that TBT exerted a apoptosis-inducing and -inhibiting effect. These diverse effect of TBT on apoptosis would cause serious damages on cell differentiation.     

Inhibitory effects of endogenous dopaminergic neurotoxin, norsalsolinol on dopamine secretion in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells

Naturally occurring neurotoxins, 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (DHTIQs), thought to be the causative agents of Parkinsonism. DHTIQs including norsalsolinol have been found in the mammalian central nervous system. Norsalsolinol can be formed by a non-enzymatic Pictet–Spengler condensation reaction between dopamine and formaldehyde, and has been detected in the urine of Parkinsonian patients. However, the effects of DHTIQs on the secretion of dopamine, as well as other neurotransmitters, are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of norsalsolinol on dopamine secretion from nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells. Norsalsolinol (1–100 μM) pretreatment suppressed both ATP (100 μM)- and K⁺ (50 mM)-induced dopamine secretion from PC12 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, but did not affect basal dopamine secretion. In β-escin-permeabilized PC12 cells, norsalsolinol pretreatment suppressed Ca²⁺ (pCa=4–8)-induced dopamine secretion, but did not inhibit the secretagogue-induced change in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. These results suggest that norsalsolinol causes the inhibition of secretagogue-induced dopamine secretion from PC12 cells without altering intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Inhibition of dopamine secretion by norsalsolinol may also be involved in postural abnormality in Parkinson's disease.     

Antioxidation activity of tetrahydrobiopterin in pheochromocytoma PC 12 cells

Rat pheochromocytoma PC 12 cells are susceptible to the oxidative toxicity caused by H2O2, nitrofurantoin, dopamine, and xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction. The cytotoxicities of these agents are greatly reduced by the simultaneous presence of 0.1 mM tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), 3 units/ml horseradish peroxidase, 0.2 mM NADH, and 0.1 units/ml sheep liver dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR). Individually, BH4, NADH and DHPR have no protection against H2O2 toxicity in PC 12 cells. Peroxidase alone offers 58% of protection if cells are incubated in the medium but only 3% in Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline. The efficiency of the BH4-mediated antioxidation system in PC 12 cells is equal to or better than ascorbic acid and catalase, depending on the source of the reactive O2 species (ROS). The reactions responsible for the BH4-antioxidation system may consist of the non-enzymatic and the peroxidase-catalyzed reduction of H2O2 to H2O by BH4 and the regeneration of BH4 by DHPR using NADH as the cofactor. The components of this defence mechanism against ROS are all normal cellular constituents and are ubiquitous in nature. This DHPR-catalyzed redox cycling of BH4 may constitute an as yet little-known antioxidation system in mammalian cells.     

Neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component from Cannabis sativa, on beta-amyloid-induced toxicity in PC12 cells

Abstract Alzheimer's disease is widely held to be associated with oxidative stress due, in part, to the membrane action of beta-amyloid peptide aggregates. Here, we studied the effect of cannabidiol, a major non-psychoactive component of the marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa) on beta-amyloid peptide-induced toxicity in cultured rat pheocromocytoma PC12 cells. Following exposure of cells to beta-amyloid peptide (1 micro g/mL), a marked reduction in cell survival was observed. This effect was associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation, as well as caspase 3 (a key enzyme in the apoptosis cell-signalling cascade) appearance, DNA fragmentation and increased intracellular calcium. Treatment of the cells with cannabidiol (10(-7)-10(-4)m) prior to beta-amyloid peptide exposure significantly elevated cell survival while it decreased ROS production, lipid peroxidation, caspase 3 levels, DNA fragmentation and intracellular calcium. Our results indicate that cannabidiol exerts a combination of neuroprotective, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects against beta-amyloid peptide toxicity, and that inhibition of caspase 3 appearance from its inactive precursor, pro-caspase 3, by cannabidiol is involved in the signalling pathway for this neuroprotection.     

Inhibitory effect of ursolic acid purified from Origanum majorana L on the acetylcholinesterase

We screened 139 herbal spices in search of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor from natural resources. AChE inhibitors, which enhance cholinergic transmission by reducing the enzymatic degradation of acetylcholine, are the only source of compound currently approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Among these herbs, edible plants and spices, the ethanol extract from Origanum majorana L. showed the highest inhibitory effect on AChE in vitro. By sequential fractionation of Origanum majorana L. the active component was finally identified as ursolic acid (3 beta-Hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid). The ursolic acid of Origanum majorana L. inhibited AChE activity in a dose-dependent and competitive/non-competitive type. The Ki value (representing the affinity of the enzyme and inhibitor) of Origanum majorana L. ursolic acid was 6 pM, and that of tacrine was 0.4 nM. The concentration required for 50% enzyme inhibition of the active component (IC50 value) was 7.5 nM, and that of tacrine was 1 nM. This study demonstrated that the ursolic acid of Origanum majorana L. appeared to be a potent AChE inhibitor in Alzheimer's Disease.     

The neurite-promoting effect of fibroblast growth factor on PC12 cells

Treatment of PC12 cells with fibroblast growth factor(s) from either brain or pituitary caused neurite outgrowth comparable to that produced by nerve growth factor. The neurite outgrowth was preceded by a substantial rise in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase.     

L cells potentiate the effect of the extracellular NGF activity in co-cultures with PC12 pheochromocytoma cells

Two mouse cell lines, 3T3 and L, reported to secrete an NGF-like activity in the culture medium were co-cultured with the pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 which responds to NGF in vitro. In these co-cultures mitomycin-treated L or 3T3 cells were employed at low cell density (1 000 cells/cm2). L cells, but not 3T3, promoted efficiently neurite outgrowth of PC12. The response of the PC12 cells was blocked by an antiserum to male mouse submaxillary gland beta NGF. The NGF secreted by the L cells and immunoprecipitated by this antiserum co-migrated with the submaxillary gland beta NGF monomer in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Surprisingly the neurite-promoting activity of media conditioned by L or by L-PC12 co-cultures was at most one-tenth of that expected on the basis of the response of PC12 cells in the co-cultures. This was not due to proteolytic degradation of the NGF-like factor or to losses by manipulation of the media. It seems therefore that co-cultures provide conditions which enhance the effect of the factor. Possible mechanisms responsible for this effect are discussed.     

乌鸡白凤丸有效成分抑制C31引起的电压门控型Ca2+通道电流增强的作用

目的研究C31对大鼠肾上腺髓质嗜铬细胞瘤细胞(PC12)电压门控性钙通道(VGCC)电流的影响,以及乌鸡白凤丸有效成分(BFP)对此效应的干预作用.方法将PC12细胞分成空白对照组、C31组、C31+BFP组、BFP组、β-雌二醇组和C31+β-雌二醇组,分别孵育12 h.在全细胞膜片钳记录模式下,记录各组细胞VGCC电流的电流峰值,求得细胞的电流密度(电流值/膜电客),作为Ca2+内流的指标.结果对照组平均VGCC电流密度为(16.01±9.75)p/ApF,C31组为(26.47±14.55)pA/pF,两组相比,差别具有显著性(P＜0.05);C31+BFP组的平均电流密度为(17.68±10.52)pA/pF,C31+β-雌二醇组的电流密度为(13.41±4.21)pA/pF,与C31组(26.47±14.55pA/pF)比较,差别具有显著性(P＜0.05).结论C31能够促进VGCC开放,Ca2+内流增多,引起细胞损伤;BFP和β-雌二醇能有效抑制C31所引起的VGCC电流增强效应,在一定程度上避免了细胞内Ca2+超载;BFP的这些作用可能是通过类雌激素样作用实现的.     

Chitooligosaccharides suppress the level of protein expression and acetylcholinesterase activity induced by Aβ25–35 in PC12 cells

Clinical applications of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are widespread in Alzheimer’s sufferers in order to activate central cholinergic system and alleviate cognitive deficits by inhibiting the hydrolysis of acetylcholine. In this study, six kinds of chitooligosaccharides (COSs) with different molecular weight and degree of deacetylation were examined for their inhibitory effects against AChE. The 90-COSs exhibited potent AChE inhibitory activities compared to 50-COSs, while 90-MMWCOS (1000–5000 Da) in the 90-COSs showed the highest activity. Cell culture experiment revealed that 90-MMWCOS suppressed the level of AChE protein expression and AChE activity induced by Aβ_25–35 in PC12 cell lines.     

Neurotrophic effect of Semaphorin 4D in PC12 cells

Semaphorins provide crucial attractive and repulsive cues involved in axon guidance during neural development. Out of them, Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) is enriched in the nervous and immune tissues, and acts as proliferative and survival factors of peripheral lymphocytes in the immune system, but is poorly understood in the nervous system. By using PC12 cells which are well known to differentiate into neural cells in response to nerve growth factor (NGF), we found that soluble forms of Sema4D had neurotrophic effects which were inhibited by neutralizing antibodies to Sema4D. Sema4D strikingly potentiated neurite outgrowth in the presence of 50 ng/ml NGF and increased sensitivity to NGF. Cells responded to very low concentrations of NGF in the presence of 1 nM Sema4D. Activation of following signal proteins, protein kinase C (PKC), L-type of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel, and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase mediated neurotrophic neurite-outgrowth action of Sema4D. These findings suggest a new function of Sema4D as a neurotrophic signal in PC12 cells.     

A polysaccharide isolated from Cordyceps sinensis,a traditional Chinese medicine,protects PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury

Cordyceps sinensis, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, possesses activities in anti-tumour, anti-oxidation and stimulating the immune system; however, the identity of active component(s) is not determined. By using anti-oxidation activity-guided fractionation, a polysaccharide of molecular weight approximately 210 kDa was isolated from cultured Cordyceps mycelia by ion-exchange and sizing chromatography. The isolated polysaccharide, having strong anti-oxidation activity, contains glucose, mannose and galactose in a ratio of 1 : 0.6 : 0.75. The pre-treatment of isolated polysaccharide on the cultured rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells shows strong protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced insult. Treatment of the cells with the isolated polysaccharide at 100 microg/ml prior to H(2)O(2) exposure significantly elevated the survival of PC12 cells in culture by over 60%. In parallel, the H(2)O(2)-induced production of malondialdehyde in cultured cells was markedly reduced by the polysaccharide treatment. Moreover, the pre-treatment of the isolated polysaccharide significantly attenuated the changes of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in H(2)O(2)-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first report in identifying a polysaccharide from Cordyceps, which protects against the free radical-induced neuronal cell toxicity.     

Characterization of tumor-associated fucogangliosides from PC 12 pheochromocytoma cells

PC 12h pheochromocytoma cells were subcutaneously transplanted into rat. We found the transplanted tumors accumulated some fucogangliosides associated with PC 12 cells. These gangliosides were isolated and purified by DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and Iatrobeads column chromatographies. Their structures were determined by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, permethylation study, and sequential degradation using various exoglycosidases and mild acid hydrolysis. Two tumor-associated fucogangliosides were found to possess the blood group B determinant as follows: G6: IV2Fuc alpha, IV3Gal alpha, II3NeuAc, GgOse4Cer; G11: IV2Fuc alpha, IV3Gal alpha, II3 (NeuAc)2, GgOse4Cer. A ganglioside with the similar structure as ganglioside G6 was isolated from rat hepatoma cells (Holmes, E.H., and Hakomori, S-I. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 7698-7703). However, ganglioside G11 has not previously been reported in the literature. These fucogangliosides reacted with the monoclonal antibody prepared by immunizing mice with PC 12h cells. Other fucogangliosides were also found to accumulate in the transplanted tumor tissues. They were identified as fucosyl-GM1 and fucosyl-GDlb. These fucogangliosides did not react with the monoclonal antibody against PC 12h cells.     

Inhibition of proteasome activity by tyropeptin A in PC12 cells

Tyropeptin A, a potent proteasome inhibitor not reported before, was produced by Kitasatospora sp. MK993-dF2. In this study, we investigated the effects of tyropeptin A on proteasome activity in PC12 cells. Tyropeptin A inhibited the intracellular proteasome activity in a dose-dependent way and seemed to cause neurite outgrowth. As expected, ubiquitinated proteins that should be substrates for the proteasome accumulated in cells treated with tyropeptin A. Hence, it appears that tyropeptin A can permeate into cells and there inhibit the intracellular proteasome activity.