29 research outputs found
Chemical Characteristics of Tannins from Non-Astringent and Astringent Type Fruits of Japanese Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) with Particular Reference to Ultracentrifugal Behavior
Property of Development of the Tannin Cells in Non-Astringent Type Fruits of Japanese Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) and Its Relationship to Natural Deastringency
Coloration of ‘Aki Queen’ Grapes in Different Produciton Areas and Improvement of Coloration by Girdling and Cluster Thinning
Effect of IAA on Morphogenesis of Musa Apices, and IAA Degradation During Storage of Media
Effects of Self or Cross Pollination and Seed Number per Berry on Berry Maturation in Highbush Blueberry
Adaptability of Citrus Species Based on the Relationships between Climatic Parameters and Fruit Quality Characteristics
Anthocyanin Accumulation and Sugar Content in the Skin of Grape Cultiver ^|^lsquo;Olympia^|^rsquo; Treated with ABA
Effect of Abscisic Acid Treatment at Variable Stages on the Expression of Proper and Deep Color in ‘Aki Queen’ Grape Berry Skins
Histological Study on Skins of Grape Cultivar ^|^lsquo;Olympia^|^rsquo; with Respect to Berry Splitting
The Kampo medicine Yokukansan (YKS) enhances nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells
Accumulating evidence indicates that neurotrophic factor-like substances involved in the induction of neurotrophic factor synthesis may aid in the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Yokukansan (YKS), a traditional Kampo medicine, has been used for the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. In the present study, we aimed to identify the signaling pathways associated with YKS-mediated enhancement of nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite extension in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Akt and extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation levels were assessed by western blot analysis, in the presence of YKS and following the treatment with TrkA inhibitor, K252a. YKS treatment (NGF+YKS 0.5 group) enhanced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and phosphorylation/activation of Akt and ERK1/2 in PC12 cells. Moreover, YKS-induced effects were inhibited by the treatment with the TrkA receptor antagonist K252a (NGF+YKS 0.5+K252a group); no significant difference in neurite outgrowth was observed between K252a-treated (NGF+YKS 0.5+K252a group) and NGF-K252a-treated cells (NGF+K252a group). However, neurite outgrowth in K252a-treated cells (NGF+K252a and NGF+YKS 0.5+K252a group) reached only one-third of the level in NGF-treated cells (NGF group). NGF-mediated Akt phosphorylation increased by YKS was also inhibited by K252a treatment (NGF+YKS 0.5+K252a group), but no significant difference in ERK1/2 phosphorylation was observed between NGF-YKS-K252a- and NGF-treated cells (NGF group). Our results indicate that YKS treatment enhanced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth via induction of Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, following the binding of NGF to the TrkA receptor. These findings may be useful in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease