Enhanced Neuroprotective Effects of Panax ginseng G115® and Ginkgo biloba GK501® Combinations In Vitro Models of Excitotoxicity

Abstract

Neurological-related disorders are seen as an increasingly important aspect of welfare. While conventional medicine is still the mainstay for the treatment of these diseases, it is becoming apparent that patients are also seeking more natural and preventative interventions. Panax ginseng G115® and Ginkgo biloba GK501® extracts alone or in combination were used in two in vitro experimental models of primary cultures exposed to excitotoxicity: rat organotypic hippocampal slices exposed to either 5 µM kainic acid or 10 µM N-Methyl-d-aspartate for 24 hours, and mixed cortical cells exposed to 300 µM NMDA for 10 min. Cell death in the Cornu Ammonis areas CA3 or CA1 subregions of slices was quantified by measuring propidium iodide fluorescence, whereas in cortical cells, it was assessed by measuring the amount of lactate dehydrogenase. In slices, treatment with extracts alone or in combination significantly attenuated CA3 and CA1 damage induced by exposure to kainic acid or NMDA, respectively. A similar neuroprotective effect was observed in cortical cells exposed to NMDA. Analysis of cell signaling pathways found that the two extracts induced an increase of the phosphorylation and they reversed the decrease of phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt induced by kainic acid and NMDA in organotypic hippocampal slices. These results suggest that P. ginseng G115® and G. biloba GK501® extracts may mediate their effects by activating phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways, protecting against excitotoxicity-induced damage in in vitro models.

Neuroprotective Effects of Thymoquinone by the Modulation of ER Stress and Apoptotic Pathway in In Vitro Model of Excitotoxicity

“…KA triggers a delayed type of excitotoxic cell death in the CA3 area of organotypic hippocampal slices through activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors [ 27 , 28 ]. Additionally, it has been shown that KA induces cell death through caspases activation [ 29 ], increase expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bim and Bax, which lead to a decrease in the Bcl-2-Bad ratio, paralleled release of cytochrome c and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) [ 30 ].…”

“…The neuronal degeneration mediated by KA involves ER stress and the activation of ER sensors [ 45 ]. In organotypic hippocampal slices, KA induces a selective death in the CA3 region [ 27 , 28 , 46 ]. We observed that at a concentration of 10 or 20 µM, TQ was able to reduce neuronal damage induced by KA ( Figure 2 F).…”

“…We usually obtain about eight slices for each pup. Slices were exposed to vehicle or 10 µM TQ for 24 h. The slices were incubated with 5 µM KA [ 27 , 28 , 46 ]. TQ was solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide at the concentration of 5 mg/mL, diluted in the medium and incubated during the 24 h of the treatment.…”

A new ophthalmic formulation containing antiseptics and dexpanthenol: In vitro antimicrobial activity and effects on corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells

“…Damage in the human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells was quantitatively evaluated by measuring the amount of the soluble cytosolic enzyme LDH released from injured cells into the extracellular fluid, 5,10 and 15 min after exposure to the drugs, using the LDH kit, as previously described for mix cortical cells (Landucci et al, 2019).…”

Plant-Based Bioactive Molecules in Improving Health and Preventing Lifestyle Diseases

“…Neuroprotective effects of natural compounds were confirmed by the study of Landucci and collaborators that suggested that both Panax ginseng and Ginkgo biloba extracts may mediate their effects by activating phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways, so protecting against excitotoxicity-induced damage [ 10 ].…”