Yokukansan enhances the proliferation of B65 neuroblastoma

Abstract

Yokukansan, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, has been considered to be a novel alternative treatment for several neurological diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, as well as neurosis, insomnia, and behavioral and psychological symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, it has been shown that yokukansan has antidepressant-like and pain-relieving effects in animal models. Recently, several studies have shown that yokukansan has a neuroprotective effect. In this study, we focused on whether or no yokukansan influences cell proliferation related to cell-cycle progression by using B65 neuroblastoma cells derived from monoaminergic neurons. Under treatment with yokukansan, the proliferation rate of B65 neuroblastoma cells significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, a proliferative effect was observed after treatment with yokukansan for 48 h and 72 h. Moreover, among seven medicinal herbs that comprise yokukansan, both Bupleuri Radix and Glycyrrhize Radix also enhanced the proliferation of B65 neuroblastoma cells. We assessed the effect of yokukansan on p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in B65 neuroblastoma cells, and found that yokukansan increased p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation after treatment for 48 h. In contrast, neither Bupleuri Radix nor Glycyrrhize Radix altered the level of p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation, although they did increase cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that yokukansan has a cell-proliferative due to both Bupleuri Radix and Glycyrrhize Radix, and this is unrelated to the p44/42 MAPK signaling cascade.

Properties, Pharmacology, and Pharmacokinetics of Active Indole and Oxindole Alkaloids in Uncaria Hook

“…To date, various analytical methods for detecting, identifying, and quantifying UH alkaloids have been developed and selectively used according to the purpose of the study (Table 1). For example, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been used as a fingerprint analysis to support the quality control of several Japanese Kampo medicines containing UH (Tsuji et al, 2014;Nakatani et al, 2017) and as a quantitative analysis of UH alkaloids including GM (Hou et al, 2018). Furthermore, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been utilized to quantify UH alkaloids concentrations in biological samples, enabling the highly selective and sensitive detection of them.…”

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Geriatrics, Evidences, and the Guideline

“…BDW improves mini mental score examination about 2.5 in the treatment period.name of Yigan San)." Nakatani Y et al reported that Yigan San has a neuroprotective effect[5]. Yigan San contains Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizama, Hoelen, Cnidii Rhizoma, Angelicae Radix, Bupleuri Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, and Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus.…”