| Herbs, Supplements for Parkinson's Disease |
Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of
substantia nigra projecting to striatum. The degeneration is believed to be related to
mitochondrial malfunction, elevated oxidative stress, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, and
inflammation. [X1,X3]
Researchers from Peking University, China, reported the neuro-protective effects of a
chemical extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. This chemical, or tripchloroide,
promoted axonal elongation and protected dopaminergic neurons from a neurotoxic
lesion in a vitro study. In a study of rats, administration of tripchlorolide for 28 days
effectively attenuated the D-amphetamine-challenged rotational behavior. In addition,
tripchlorolide treatment also increased the survival of dopaminergic neurons in substantia
nigra pars compacta. [1,2] In a separate study, they found triptolide also protected
dopaminergic neurons from lipopolysoaccharide-induced injury. [3] Because of its
protective effect on dopaminergic neurons, researchers believe that it may have benefits
in Parkinson's disease.
Geng X and co-researchers at Peking University, China, observed that echinacoside
from Cistanches salsa improved the behavioral and neurochemical outcomes in mice
suffered from dopaminergic toxicity. Mice suffered from
1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced dopaminergic toxicity are in
general accepted as a model for Parkinson's disease. When administered prior to
MPTP, echinacoside reduced behavioral deficits, increased striatal dopamine and
dopamine metabolite levels, reduced cell death. In addition, pre-treatment with
echinacoside also significantly reduced caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation in
1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons.
[4]
In another study, Liu HQ and co-researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Shanghai, observed that paeoniflorin from Paeoniae alba Radix reduced the
MPTP-induced toxicity in mouse. [5] The researchers found administration of paeoniflorin
to the MPTP mouse for 11 days could protect substantia nigra neurons and striatal nerve
fibers from death and bradykinesia. [5]
Zhu WW and co-researchers from SUN Yat-sen University, China, found that a
pre-treatment of reishi (Ganoderm lucidum) spore oil led to an increased level dopamine
and in MPTP mouse. Reishi spore oil treated MPTP mouse also had more surviving
TH-positive neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta. [6]
Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix (or Blood Stasis in Traditional Chinese Medicine) is an
eminent herb in the treatment of cardiovascular disorder. Koo BS with co-workers from
DongGuk University, Korea, demonstrated that Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix does not have
a scavenging effect, but it has an inhibitory effect on superoxide generation by microglias.
They also found that water extract of Salviae miltiorrhizae could significantly increased
K+-stimulated dopamine release from rat striatal slices. [7]
Baicalein, a major flavonoid extracted from a traditional Chinese herb Scutellaria
baicalensis Georgi (Huangqin), possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties. Researchers from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC,
found that pretreatment with baicalein concentration-dependently attenuated
lipopolysaccharide -induced decrease in [3H]dopamine uptake and loss of
TH-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons from E-14 rat embryos. Lipopolysaccharide (LSP) is
known to induce damage to dopaminergic neurons. [8]
More about Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease - Supplements
Parkinson's Disease - Herbs
Parkinson's Disease - Side Effects of Drugs
Parkinson's Disease - Symptoms
[1] Li FQ, et al, Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of tripchlorolide, an
extract of Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, on dopaminergic neurons.
Exp Neurol. 2003 Jan;179(1):28-37. [2] Cheng XX, et al, Protective effect of
tripchlorolide on dopaminergic neurons in partially lesioned rat model of
Parkinson's disease Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2002 May;37(5):339-42. [3] Li FQ, et al,
Triptolide, a Chinese herbal extract, protects dopaminergic neurons from
inflammation-mediated damage through inhibition of microglial activation. J
Neuroimmunol. 2004 Mar;148(1-2):24-31. [4] Geng X et al, Neuroprotective effects
of echinacoside in the mouse MPTP model of Parkinson's disease. Eur J
Pharmacol. 2007 Feb 16. [5] Liu HQ, et al, Paeoniflorin attenuates
neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the MPTP model of
Parkinson's disease by activation of adenosine A1 receptor. Br J Pharmacol.
2006 Jun;148(3):314-25. [6] Zhu WW, et al, Effect of the oil from ganoderma
lucidum spores on pathological changes in the substantia nigra and behaviors
of MPTP-treated mice Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2005 Jun;25(6):667-71 [7] Koo
BS, et al, Salviae miltiorrhizae radix inhibits superoxide generation by activated
rat microglias and mimics the action of amphetamine on in vitro rat striatal
dopamine release. Neurochem Res. 2004 Oct;29(10):1837-45. [8] Li FQ, et al,
Inhibition of microglial activation by the herbal flavonoid baicalein attenuates
inflammation-mediated degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. J Neural Transm.
2005 Mar;112(3):331-47. Epub 2004 Oct 22. [X1] Fernandez-Espejo E.
Pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease: prospects of neuroprotective and
restorative therapies. Mol Neurobiol. 2004 Feb;29(1):15-30. [X3] Bonuccelli U, Del
Dotto P. New pharmacologic horizons in the treatment of Parkinson disease.
Neurology. 2006 Oct 10;67(7 Suppl 2):S30-8.
.
substantia nigra projecting to striatum. The degeneration is believed to be related to
mitochondrial malfunction, elevated oxidative stress, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, and
inflammation. [X1,X3]
Researchers from Peking University, China, reported the neuro-protective effects of a
chemical extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. This chemical, or tripchloroide,
promoted axonal elongation and protected dopaminergic neurons from a neurotoxic
lesion in a vitro study. In a study of rats, administration of tripchlorolide for 28 days
effectively attenuated the D-amphetamine-challenged rotational behavior. In addition,
tripchlorolide treatment also increased the survival of dopaminergic neurons in substantia
nigra pars compacta. [1,2] In a separate study, they found triptolide also protected
dopaminergic neurons from lipopolysoaccharide-induced injury. [3] Because of its
protective effect on dopaminergic neurons, researchers believe that it may have benefits
in Parkinson's disease.
Geng X and co-researchers at Peking University, China, observed that echinacoside
from Cistanches salsa improved the behavioral and neurochemical outcomes in mice
suffered from dopaminergic toxicity. Mice suffered from
1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced dopaminergic toxicity are in
general accepted as a model for Parkinson's disease. When administered prior to
MPTP, echinacoside reduced behavioral deficits, increased striatal dopamine and
dopamine metabolite levels, reduced cell death. In addition, pre-treatment with
echinacoside also significantly reduced caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation in
1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons.
[4]
In another study, Liu HQ and co-researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Shanghai, observed that paeoniflorin from Paeoniae alba Radix reduced the
MPTP-induced toxicity in mouse. [5] The researchers found administration of paeoniflorin
to the MPTP mouse for 11 days could protect substantia nigra neurons and striatal nerve
fibers from death and bradykinesia. [5]
Zhu WW and co-researchers from SUN Yat-sen University, China, found that a
pre-treatment of reishi (Ganoderm lucidum) spore oil led to an increased level dopamine
and in MPTP mouse. Reishi spore oil treated MPTP mouse also had more surviving
TH-positive neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta. [6]
Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix (or Blood Stasis in Traditional Chinese Medicine) is an
eminent herb in the treatment of cardiovascular disorder. Koo BS with co-workers from
DongGuk University, Korea, demonstrated that Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix does not have
a scavenging effect, but it has an inhibitory effect on superoxide generation by microglias.
They also found that water extract of Salviae miltiorrhizae could significantly increased
K+-stimulated dopamine release from rat striatal slices. [7]
Baicalein, a major flavonoid extracted from a traditional Chinese herb Scutellaria
baicalensis Georgi (Huangqin), possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties. Researchers from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC,
found that pretreatment with baicalein concentration-dependently attenuated
lipopolysaccharide -induced decrease in [3H]dopamine uptake and loss of
TH-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons from E-14 rat embryos. Lipopolysaccharide (LSP) is
known to induce damage to dopaminergic neurons. [8]
More about Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease - Supplements
Parkinson's Disease - Herbs
Parkinson's Disease - Side Effects of Drugs
Parkinson's Disease - Symptoms
[1] Li FQ, et al, Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of tripchlorolide, an
extract of Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, on dopaminergic neurons.
Exp Neurol. 2003 Jan;179(1):28-37. [2] Cheng XX, et al, Protective effect of
tripchlorolide on dopaminergic neurons in partially lesioned rat model of
Parkinson's disease Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2002 May;37(5):339-42. [3] Li FQ, et al,
Triptolide, a Chinese herbal extract, protects dopaminergic neurons from
inflammation-mediated damage through inhibition of microglial activation. J
Neuroimmunol. 2004 Mar;148(1-2):24-31. [4] Geng X et al, Neuroprotective effects
of echinacoside in the mouse MPTP model of Parkinson's disease. Eur J
Pharmacol. 2007 Feb 16. [5] Liu HQ, et al, Paeoniflorin attenuates
neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the MPTP model of
Parkinson's disease by activation of adenosine A1 receptor. Br J Pharmacol.
2006 Jun;148(3):314-25. [6] Zhu WW, et al, Effect of the oil from ganoderma
lucidum spores on pathological changes in the substantia nigra and behaviors
of MPTP-treated mice Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2005 Jun;25(6):667-71 [7] Koo
BS, et al, Salviae miltiorrhizae radix inhibits superoxide generation by activated
rat microglias and mimics the action of amphetamine on in vitro rat striatal
dopamine release. Neurochem Res. 2004 Oct;29(10):1837-45. [8] Li FQ, et al,
Inhibition of microglial activation by the herbal flavonoid baicalein attenuates
inflammation-mediated degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. J Neural Transm.
2005 Mar;112(3):331-47. Epub 2004 Oct 22. [X1] Fernandez-Espejo E.
Pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease: prospects of neuroprotective and
restorative therapies. Mol Neurobiol. 2004 Feb;29(1):15-30. [X3] Bonuccelli U, Del
Dotto P. New pharmacologic horizons in the treatment of Parkinson disease.
Neurology. 2006 Oct 10;67(7 Suppl 2):S30-8.
.
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