Article · Volume 7, Issue 28 · pp. 284–288
Neuroprotective activity of the methanolic extract of Lonicera japonica in glutamate-injured primary rat cortical cells
Jin Bae Weon2, Hye Jin Yang2, Bohyoung Lee2, Bo-Ra Yun2, Ju Hee Ahn2, Hyeon Yong Lee2, Choong Je Ma2,3
- 1Department of Biomaterials Engineering, School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon.
- 2Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Background: We previously reported that the extracts of several Korean medicinal plants showed neuroprotective activity in glutamate-injured primary culutres of rat cortical cells.Objective: Among them, the effect of the methanolic extract of Lonicera japonica flower on the glutamate-induced neuronal cell death and its potential mechanism of action was investigated.Results: Treatment by the methanolic extract of L. japonica flower significantly protected neuronal cells against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. It decreased the calcium influx that accompanies the glutamate induced excitotoxicity of neuronal cells, and inhibited the subsequent overproduction of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species and peroxide to the level of control cells. In addition, it preserved cellular activity of superoxide dismutase, an antioxidative enzyme reduced by glutamate insult.Conclusions: According to this data, the methanolic extract of L. japonica flower significantly protected neuronal cells against glutamate excitotoxicity via antioxidative activity.
Keywords: Antioxidant; excitotoxicity; glutamate; Lonicera japonica; neuroprotection
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